Stephen A. Connearney

Waltham – Thomas Edison once observed that "opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Steve Connearney never missed an opportunity to work hard, have fun and take care of his family. His wife Ginger said that her husband was the hardest working man she'd ever met. Fiercely loyal to his family, his friends and his customers Steve was the trusted friend who was also your plumber.

The long hours he put in were rewarded by a lifetime of knowing that he made a difference. Dressed in his overalls Steve made sure his work got done completely, neatly and by the book. Honesty was his constant companion as were his stories and the occasional Winston cigarette dangling from his lips. And for a man not particularly big he possessed the strength of Atlas.

Mr. Stephen A. Connearney, of Waltham, died peacefully at home on Monday, June 25, 2018 following a ferocious three-year battle with cancer. He was 67.

When he was diagnosed just over three years ago the prospects looked grim. Steve met the news stoically and with dignity but fought the disease with the subtly of a sledgehammer. He enjoyed three pretty good years because of the terrific care he got from the doctors, nurses and care team at Saint Elizabeth's and Dana Farber but mostly because of the care his wife Ginger, and daughter, Erin, provided. They were after all just returning the love, care, commitment and devotion he'd shown to them when they needed it most.

Not a day went by when Steve didn't know that he was loved and wanted and needed. That gave him the drive to push on. Plus, it was in his DNA.

After his illness forced his retirement he found great peace, light, joy and refreshment doing simple things like fishing on the South River in Marshfield, mowing his lawn and tending to his garden at home. Cooking for his family and friends . . . whether it was a gourmet breakfast in Marshfield or a pick up dinner on football Sundays . . . delighted him.

Steve was a lifelong resident of Waltham and was a son of the late John A. and Rita E. (Delorey) Connearney. He graduated from Saint Mary's High School in 1969. After that he studied engineering at Georgia Tech before returning home to finish at Bentley College. He also served in the United States Navy Reserve.

He became a master plumber and worked for years with his father and with his brother and business partner, Kevin. In his early years Steve was a member of Saint Mary's Holy Name Society in Waltham where he developed a lifelong passion for bowling. He spent many happy nights in leagues with his buddies at the Wal-Lex in Waltham and later at Lanes & Games in Cambridge.

The best part of his life began on October 5, 1973 when he married Virginia "Ginger" Martin at Saint Luke's Church in Belmont and for her part she would tell you that Steve was the "love of her life." They made a great pair.

In addition to his wife of forty-four years, Ginger, he leaves his daughter who he loved more than life itself, Erin A. Connearney of Watertown; his sisters and brother, Patricia A. Deveaux (Donald) of Waltham, M. Sandra Millerick (John) of Ipswich and Kevin M. Connearney (Dale) of Marshfield; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ann McSweeney (late John) of Scituate, Michael Martin (Ann) of San Francisco, California, Dolores Green (Jack) of Duxbury, Jay Martin (Deborah) of Ashland, Brian Martin (Jean) of Hudson, Patrice McDonald (Ed) of Waltham and Beth Pierce (Jim) of Waltham; many dear friends including Merrill Griff and Carol Wilcox, the Garland family, the Grady family and the Rots family and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Steve's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, June 29th from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or at www.jimmyfund.org