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Connolly, Lawrence

June 25, 2009 89

CONNOLLY, Lawrence J. - Died on Monday, June 22, 2009 at Sault Ste. Marie at the age of 89. Survived by his loving and devoted wife, Agnes O'Grady, and his sons Jerry (Donna) of Echo Bay, Tom (Shirley) of Ottawa, Dan (Rose) of Houston, Texas, Ryan (Lois) of Bruce Mines, and daughters, Carol (David Peachman) of Whitecourt, Alberta, and Lorna (Rick Beattie) of Sault Ste. Marie. He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren Deanna, Autumn, Patrick, Celia, Jill, Karen, Jeff, Adam, Erica, Bridget, Katie, William, Emily, Meghan and Amanda and 5 great grandchildren. Lawrence was born in Haileybury on March 15, 1920, the second child of Patrick Connolly and Margaret Maney. He is survived by two sisters, Teresa Toohey of Essex, ON and Mary Chlan of Elliot Lake. He was predeceased by his sister Eunice Copps, and brothers Jim, Patrick, Joseph and Con and two great grandchildren, Lily and Landon. When he was age 12 his family moved to Kirkland Lake and he attended Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational School, where he excelled both academically and in sports. After the outbreak of World War II Lawrence enlisted on November 4, 1941 and was trained as a pilot. He was sent to England on the ocean liner, the Queen Mary, leaving New York harbour on March 9, 1943. He was promoted to a Flying Officer and flew Wellington and Lancaster bombers, while stationed on the Isle of Man. At the end of the war and upon discharge from the Air Force on December 1, 1945 he returned home to Kirkland Lake where he married on May 25, 1946 the love of his life, Agnes O'Grady, the youngest daughter of Thomas M. O'Grady and Bridget Ryan of Charlton, ON. Lawrence found employment with Teck Hughes Gold Mine in Kirkland Lake and soon became Mill Foreman. In 1957 he moved with his growing family to Elliot Lake where he was employed in management with Denison Mines. He retired from Denison in 1985 and concentrated on his love of gardening and voracious reading. Lawrence had built a second home in Laird Township, adjacent to his eldest son's farm and he spent his retirement summers attending to his ever expanding gardens. In later years he took up residence at Collegiate Heights Retirement Residence, but kept his home and beloved gardens in Laird. Lawrence served his community as a Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was active for many years in the Credit Union movement. His gentle spirit, coupled with his strong-willed personality will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Friends are invited to visit the family at the ARTHUR FUNERAL HOME, 492 Wellington Street E., Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday, June 25, 2009 between the hours of 6 :00 pm and 9:00 pm. A funeral Mass at St. Jerome's Church, 26 Carmel Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 10 am. Burial will follow in Laird Cemetery. Memorial donations to the St. Jerome's Memorial Fund or Sault College S.B.A. would be appreciated. www.MeM.com



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