So many memories with my brother…where to start!!!

This is probably the hardest esay thing I will ever do. That would be praising my brother because this means that Craig has passed. In ‘63-‘64 when our Mother found herself as a single Mom with 5 young boys to raise. All that she was doing was searching for ways to keep her sons out of trouble while she would be at work. Mom heard from somewhere about this youth tackle football program and obviously thought, OK this is for Craig.
She took Craig to the practice at Carrillo school and somewhat with his resistance got him signed up. Never could anybody have ever guessed what was to come. Craig’s giving nature came early in life.
In his teen years Craig got a job to make money so that he could help ease the financial weight Mom carried on her back.Willingly and without need for  any recognition or praise. Just to give. All at the same time he was, for myself the father figure I was blessed to grow up with. The only one that ever provided me with what a father is for a child. Discipline included. I was blessed to have my whole life up to now what all that love my brother received in your time with our Craig in yours. I simply do not know another man that is loved and appreciated by so many family hearts, and please let me say what my brother feels THANKS. We know that is not why Craig gives, I learned from him at a young age to not do it for the praise because then your heart ain’t in it. Giving to get is a short sentence Rich. Give so you can keep giving is how you get to go the distance. And those of us who know my brother/father know Craig only ever went the distance. So I would like to offer my sincere condolences to all of us. Because I know that all our love for Craig combined is getting close to the love the LION gots coming. And we know he’s good with that. 
And to my sister Linda, my deepest to you and thank you for giving Craig the best and his most cherished love of his life. None could be a better for the two of you. I love you and miss you my brother.

I played for Craig as well as coached along side him as the S.C.Lions went the farthest they have been by accomplishing 2nd in the nation in pop warner super bowl in Florida. Coach helped inspire and motivate many. His unique style of expressing the fundamentals of football to how you  practice with with discipline tactics were unmatched.Coach 
showed me how to win and what it took to get there. This was in the sport of football and for many it was for and about life as well. The big picture of lions was Pride and hard work is what I would say defines Coach Craig Connelly. As a man,a father, a leader,a coach,a mentor,an inspirer and a legend,his consistency made things happen. Not a talk about it,
 but a be about it kind of guy. With so many youth 
athletes, cheerleaders, parents and his personal family that were directly effected from his span of over 60 years in Santa Clara pop Warner football. Coaching, mentoring and running the Santa Clara Lions Football organization is what he and his wife Linda did. Craig's passing is a great 
loss to the Santa Clara community to in which he 
inspired a lot of people. His passing is fealt 
everywhere throughout so many people whom his 
presents in his lifetime, made a difference and gave memories that are undeniably some of the best expressed and shared. Coach Craig's teachings to me as a youth have stayed with me until today. Life lessons combined with what it takes to becoming a champion from the 1st day in August until the championship games final scoreboard reading. Being a part of the legendary Lions Football team/organization is pride I credit to coach in more ways than one. Part of myself personally as a player and a coach. I thank you Craig Connelly for your wisdom, your sternness and your belief in me and my friend/teammates that gave our everything for you. As in return you showed us how to doing just that. In practice,in games and in life. Love ya coach, respect with pride. LIONS PRIDE. #5 Jason Hunter Bright

One of the greatest honors of my life to play for the 1993 Lions, thank you Linda  and Craig for all that you did for me. You both were there for me when I needed you the most.  I have been blessed to apart of the Legacy. Rest in peace my friend. 

Abel Parsad #24

Coach Craig was a great man. I played for him in the mid 90’s. I remember getting in to trouble as a young kid and had to do community service. The judge let me do my service at Bruno’s automotive where Craig was the boss. He taught me a lot and kept me on the straight. My heart goes out to Linda RIP Craig till we meet again.

This Brother's Love II
My heart is heavy. Not being able to share our time together with words or personal touch saddens me to my core. With pride, I have shared a Brother's Love. Craig gave purpose, direction and love to me without hesitation.  I miss you Craig and you will remain in my heart until we meet again.

A Brother's Love
Our lifetime together has been with my appreciation for his trust and love. There aren't enough adjectives to share with all the generations of lives Craig has touched. The "Ledgend " wasn't just about winning games. He turned boys into men and girls into women.  With Craig's life partner,Linda, the dedicated volunteers, the support of all the sponsors over the years did help Craig's life goal. It's always been about the kids.  My love Craig

This is one of my favorite pictures of Coach. 
Pouring me up a pitcher of ice cold beer after a big win at Seniores , That was a great night…
Coach, I will always value the time I spent with you and the lessons you taught me. You have impacted my life immeasurably.  I promise I will do my best to uphold your legacy and make you proud.

I played for Coach Craig in 1988. Lee, Alex, and I came from San Jose to play for him. We played with RJ. (RIP). He decided to put our first initials on our jerseys because he thought “I Cruz” was cool. Almost every weekend during the season I stayed the night at Linda’s house, The coaches would barbecue and all us kids would hang out and look forward to our game the next day. When I broke my toe in a game, I stayed at Coaches apartment  for week to heal up. He played me in the game the following week with a limp in my step.. When  my uncle past away during the season, he drove me home after practice and consoled me. Thing about it is Coach did these sorta things for players  for decades. It’s just part of who he was. Thank you Coach. Lion Pride Ish Cruz #24

Coach Craig was always teaching more than just football. He taught us how to be good men with work ethics, discipline and integrity.

I was blessed to be born a Lion. From the start, I had no choice who I was going to play for, I had lion blood already running through me. Looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I got to play for the Mitey Cats, Thunder Cats, Panthers, Wildcats, and finally, the Lions. I watched Coach Craig from a distance when I played on the younger teams, always admiring the way he led. When I finally had the chance to play for him, I already had high expectations knowing his legacy but he somehow still managed to exceed them. Coach Craig was more than just a great coach. He was a leader, a mentor, and someone who I look up to. I was lucky not only to play under him but to later coach under him. We coached many Lions teams together and even a Wildcat team. The lessons I learned from him as a player and a coach are lessons I’ll carry with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life. If I had to describe our relationship in one word, it would be family. We didn’t share the same blood, but Coach always treated me like one of his own. Around him, I was always the most confident and comfortable. I will always love Coach Craig and Linda and no matter where I go or what I do, I will always be a Santa Clara Lion.

He was a long time family friend. He did amazing work with the Santa Clara Lions.  Truly a great man. You will be missed Craig. 🙏🏻🕊️

Me and my boys have been with the Lions family for 22 years you will be truly missed but always remembered we love you Coach Craig thank you for all that you have done for my boys all 5 of them. ARay,Jesse,Frankie,Joe and Drake

Our family has known the Connelly's since the early 60's, what Craig has done for SC cannot be duplicated,he was coach to many of you that I know,but was a friend to everyone including myself.
Condolences to the surviving Connelly boys and his lovely wife.
Sincerely,Chuckie Callejon

Coach, I was able to thank you over the phone a few weeks ago for all the love, knowledge and friendship you gave my family and I. The years spent with you learning, coaching. laughing And traveling together will  never be forgotten… RIP Coach Craig. Sending love to your family. 

Love, Steve Hylkema.

“Should’ve Could’ve  and Would’ve  is loser’s talk and you ain’t no loser. You gotta pay the price to be a winner.”
Coach Craig Connelly

Thanks Coach for your knowledge and unforgettable inspiration. Those words meant everything to me and kept me going when most gave up… God bless you always.
Roland Garza
T.C. #71
Class of 1972-1975

From the Ochoa Family
May you rest In Peace. Your legacy will live on through all that you have touch. Thank you for being who you are.. our prayer and love go out to all of the family and friends who have been touched and cared for by   Craig Connelly.

Sending my love and respect to the family of Coach. CHECK READY!!! He instilled the love of football in me. What a brotherhood look like. Took this broken scared little boy that he could be something special Coach I will always love you for what you did for me and all the other players and cheerleaders. 
Love Always 
Calvin Rodrigues #54 1988

I had known Coach Craig since around 1982, when I just a toddler. I played for the Santa Clara Lions from 1989 - 1994. Coach Craig was a great inspiration. He taught me discipline and team work. He will be greatly missed. Much love to Linda, Tony and all of the Connelly family. Once a Lion, always a Lion. BE PART OF THE LEGEND!!

Condolences to the Connelly and Santa Clara community. I met Craig in pop warner back in 2002 always admired how he handled business. When I finally got my own organization I eventually got to  play him  15 years later. He was still handling business, solid guy respectful, composed ,
firm, and always  looked out for me when in need. Will miss him dearly. Prayers and  Love from -DC Stars Football

Dear Coach Craig I remember bring the twins to you for the lion league and you would have been so Proud of them. I know that if you can see what they have become you would be proud to know that Josiah is going to be playing for SJSU and torta graduated from Auto Mechanics Diesel! You will greatly miss them and they will miss you! Rest Peacefully our Beloved Coach Craig!!!!

OBITUARY

Craig Connelly

May 1, 1949 – May 26, 2025

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

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