Mr. Connolly was born and raised in Nashville. He attended and graduated from Father Ryan High School. After high school, he served four years in the United States Air Force. The Air Force took him to Key West, Florida and San Angelo, Texas. While residing in Texas, he attended Angelo State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Eventually, Mr. Connolly moved back to his hometown of Nashville. One evening, while frequenting a favorite club in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Mr. Connolly met Brenda Stem and soon realized she was the love of his life. After four years of dating, he proposed marriage and the pair have been married for twenty-three years. Together, they continued Mr. Connolly’s love of traveling which took him across the country and to locations around the world.
Mr. Connolly retired at the age of 70. After six months, he realized retirement was not for him and went back to work; first, to the career from which he had retired then to other occupational ventures. He was a big sports fan of the Tennessee Titans, the Nashville Predators, the Tennessee VOLS, and Vanderbilt University. He was an airplane aficionado, enjoyed a good belly laugh and was known for telling corny jokes. He was a good cook, especially with Italian food, and was a “master” of the grill.
Mr. Connolly was very particular about the way his clothes were laundered and folded, so he took care of those responsibilities himself. He was also particular about cleanliness and enjoyed cleaning up around the house. Being a morning person, it was not unusual for him to get up early, plug-in the vacuum cleaner, and awaken the entire household while he cleaned to his favorite band, Foreigner.
Mr. Connolly loved his family, but especially his brothers and his grandchildren. He really developed a close relationship with fifteen-year-old granddaughter, Kendall, while spending time transporting her to and from school. They would discuss history, sheep, cows, and all kinds of subjects. He really enjoyed being able to have that kind of relationship with a teenager. He was known for always being present for anyone needing help of any kind. He loved deeply . . . was greatly loved . . . and will be greatly missed.
Mr. Connolly is preceded in death by his father, Matthew Francis Connolly, Sr.; his mother, Helen Goode Connolly; a brother, Tony Connolly; and stepson, Jason Cole. He is survived by his loving wife of twenty-three years, Brenda Stem Connolly; his daughter Meredith Boren (Adam); stepdaughter, Lindsay Cole; grandchildren Josh Boren (Regan), John Boren, Elise Boren, Maddie Cole, Katie Cole and Kendall Cole; brothers Alvin Connolly (Linda), Matthew Connolly (Peggy); sister-in-law, Maureen Connolly; as well as numerous nieces and nephews that he loved very much.
There will be a Gathering of Family & Friends at Hermitage Funeral Home on Thursday, January 4, from 4pm – 8pm, and Friday, January 5, from 10am – 11am. A Celebration of Mr. Connolly’s Life will begin at 11:00am in the Tulip Grove Room at the funeral home. Following the service, Mr. Connolly will be laid to rest in the Garden of Peace at Hermitage Memorial Gardens. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Connolly family at www.HermitageFH.com.
