Joseph M. Connolly

Waltham – Rev. Joseph M. Connolly, C.S.S., of the Stigmatine Fathers, died Friday, February 6, 2015 at Lahey Clinic in Burlington. He was 84.

Fr. Connolly was born in Brighton on November 5, 1930, a son of Michael and Mary Connolly, both natives of Co. Galway, Ireland. He entered the Stigmatine Fathers' Community at Waltham on September 15, 1945. His first profession of vows was on August 16, 1951 and his final profession of vows was on August 16, 1964.

He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 5, 1957. He received the Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University in Rome, Italy in 1957 and a Master of Arts in History from Boston College.

Father Connolly served in a number of Stigmatine assignments as a parochial vicar at several parishes including All Saints in Manassas, Virginia, Mount Carmel in Springfield and at Holy Family in Lynn. He also taught as several schools including the Stigmatine Minor Seminary in Wellesley, Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody and at Aquinas Junior College in Milton. He also served as a retreat master at the Espousal Center in Waltham.

He leaves his sister and brothers, Sr. Marie Connolly, C.S.J. of Brighton, John Connolly of West Roxbury, and Patrick Connolly of Roslindale and his confrères in the Stigmatine Community.

Family and friends will honor and remember Father Connolly's life by gathering to visit on Thursday, February 12th, at 9 a.m. in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 5 East Main Street, Milford where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Milford.