James Connelly Obituary

I was blessed to teach with Mr. Connelly. A finer man never lived! I adored sharing lunch with him and to tip a few after evening conferences at Little Joes. What a wonderful man.

I was one of the "lucky" sophomores to have had Mr. Connelly for both geometry and U.S. history way back in 1977-78. I flourished under his strict style. We knew somehow that Mr. Connelly did what he did for our benefit. It helped that he was suppressing a smile about half the time when doing his gruff shtick. He more openly let upperclassmen in on the semi-joke, as I found out when I took his political philosophy elective as a senior.

People have recalled Mr Connelly's sternness, and you would have been crazy to cross him, but he also had a great dry humor and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. One of his "theses" on U.S. history was that the country had been doing great until women got the right to vote and it was all down hill ever since. I can't imagine he kept that joke going after 1979, but most of us knew not to take it seriously. On the rare occasion when he was couldn't suppress a small chuckle in the classroom, he would look out the window and put his hand over his mouth as if deep in thought, considering a student's comment on the suffrage disaster.

Anyway, as hundreds have said already, best teacher I ever had. He was pretty serious 95% of the time and a great explainer of math, social science, religion and many other topics. With everything he did outside the classroom, he was one of the greatest people I have ever known.

Rest in peace, Mr. Connelly.
Mark Golden, '80

Connelly Family,
I am so sad to read about the loss of your dad. What a great family you have. May your strength and love pull you through these difficult times. I remember having dinners at your house and amazed at all they great fun you had in your memorable house. Love and support to all during this time. Mrs. Connelly my prayers are with you as I am sure you have a wonderful support group.
Love,
Julie Tye Kelly

Pete and Monica, I was so sorry to hear. I just read your Father's obituary in the paper today. What a legacy he has left. My condolences to you and the entire Connelly family - Mary Kay Sarnowski

Sue, sorry Jinx(Connelly)& I missed the wake & funeral, but at 81 I miss alot. My memories of Jim are filled with dedication to his school. I don't know how you took care of all those kids on the Catholic salary. I got out after 9 years at LA, Fenwick & Ignatius. I just retired after 54 years teaching - the last 12 part-time. Hope you are doing OK,Sue. Iknow how empty my life would be without Jinx. Cas Kotowski

I only just heard the sad news and regret I was not able to be there in person and pay my respects. As a Stevens family member, our memories of Mr. Connelly go back to Our Lady Help of Christians and the wonderful community on the West Side.
On behalf of all us, rest in peace and know you lived a wonderful and blessed life

Tim Stevens

Kevin and family,
Great teacher and a great leader.I can honestly say the only reason I can help my own children in math/geometry is because of Mr.C. He had amazing ability to connect with every type of individual. I am not sure he ever used my first name after the first day of class as I was simply known as "Reynolds". Great memories and I am truly sorry for your loss.

Dear Connelly Family, My deepest sympathy to you for the loss of such a great man! An exellent teacher and mentor! He both frightened me and made me laugh hysterically, but never in class,of course. He taught me the meaning of respect. Decades after high school, his lessons resonate...Long Live Mr. Connelly! Molly Madden '86

Dear Connelly Family,
I was so very, very sad to hear of your loss. I remember Mr. Connelly so clearly in my mind's eye. Strict and warm, with a very clear love of his family and for those in need. You are all in my thoughts, in my heart and in my prayers.

Katie Barnicle,
(Ignatius class of 1986)

Dear Connelly Family,

You are all in my prayers as I add my condolences to those of many other admirers of Jim at this sad time. I was privileged to work with Jim for thirty years at Saint Ignatius where I witnessed his consistent commitment to the welfare of his students. He gave generously to all from a deep well of faith, hope, and love. I will always remember him with affection and gratitude.

Sincerely yours,
Richard Blackwell
English Department (retired)

It occurs to me as I write this that the funeral of the greatest history teacher I ever had will take place on September 1. As Mr. Connelly, affectionately known to many of the more mischievous of us as Butch, would ask “And what happened on that date in 1939?” I can assure you that EVERY student who had Mr. Connelly for history could answer that question, even those of us whose memories of St. Ignatius reach more than halfway back to that date.

The primary reason that St. Ignatius is such a great school is because St. Ignatius has great teachers. In that pantheon of great ones…Grant, Whitehead, Wiatrak, Zimecki, Raispis, Kizelevicus, Thole, Pintozzi, Spalding…stands one at the head of the line…Jim “Butch” Connelly, a man of endless knowledge, patience, humor, and insight into the human condition. This is the man who taught history, math, or whatever needed to be taught. And this is the man who taught a course called “Chicago Politics” not only to this writer but also to the sons of Chicago politicians and to countless future Chicago politicians. He was able to teach those who thought they knew it all and heard it all plenty about the subject; the man, as he would have said, knew the material.

What made Mr. Connelly especially notable, and wonderful, transcended his skills as a teacher. Ignatius is loaded with great teachers and good people. Jim not only was an exceptional teacher among exceptional teachers; more important, he was a man who lived the faith he professed. Every aspect of his life reflected his Christian and his Catholic faith. He trusted God, adored his family, and loved his fellow man. He put his faith into action when it wasn't at all easy. Like the poor widow, he did not give of his surplus, he gave of his very substance. Most of us would not even contemplate making the sacrifices that Jim and Sue Connelly made to bring the love of Christ to those who otherwise might not have experienced the deep and abiding love He holds for all of us.

Jim didn't suffer fools and was not much for sentimentality. He was a tough man who demanded much from those who would aspire to knowledge, greatness, or service. He made us think and challenge the assumptions and impressions under which the world conducts its business. He taught all of us who were given the great gift of knowing him what it meant to be a Christian man or woman. He gave of himself until it hurt.

How else does one define a great man?

Thank you, Mr. Connelly, for all your hard work and dedication. I loved your class! And I can definitely say you were a great teacher! I teach History and French now, myself.

Mr Connelly was a great man and role model to the thousands of people who were fortunate enough to meet him. I wish the best to your family during this difficult time and I will certainly always remember our Coach Connelly.

I am sorry to hear about Jim. Jim was a great track coach and teacher for me at St Ignatius during my years 77-81 there. Quite a snappy attitude, and you never got of line in his class:).

To The Connelly Family,

We are so sorry for your loss.

The Connelly Family is an inspiration to all of us.

God Bless you,

Jean Radtke and Ann(Radtke) Pettey

The world has lost agreat man. Jim your legacy to the students of St. Alexanders will long be remembered. May God bless you and bring peace to your family.

Connelly family,
Your father was an amazing man and scores of St. Ignatius alumni are better persons for having been taught by him.
God Bless,
-Brian Cronin '85

Mr. Connelly was my first high school teacher. He ran a very tight ship and would not tolerate anyone leaving the isle of excellence for the sea of mediocrity. I was absolutely terrified of him, in the god fearing respectful sense. He was tough but you knew he cared. He made me want to be a better student. He was really dedicated to ignatius and such a credit to the teaching profession.

To the family of Mr. James V. Connelly; may the God of comfort give you peace during your time of mourning.

Dear Connelly family, please accept my sympathies on the loss of your husband and father. I am grateful that he was also a part of the St. Ignatius family. He was firm but also forgiving, a strong leader, and someone who seemed to understand people very well. Thank you Mr.Connelly for all those Our Fathers that you would start class with. I remember getting a little spooked when you would almost yell "Stand Up' and then start the prayer your head always bowed. Then as the weeks went on we knew to come in and stand so the prayer could be started almost immediately and without any sound of commotion. I had a sibling who became ill and I could not seem to tell others. Then one day you offered rare intentions of the Our Father that day for the younger sibling of a classmate who was ill with almost the exact same thing my sibling had. I knew God was working in your classroom in many ways after that day. I felt reassured with the immense worry I was feeling for my sibling and then connected to my classmate and his family. God Bless you Mr. Connelly! I have already said Our Fathers for you and will continue to.

Sue, We were sorry to hear about Jim. We have fond memories of you and Jim leading our CFM group at Our Lady Help of Christians on the west side many years ago. Jim was really a nice guy.He will be remembered in our thoughts and prayers.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Jim Connley was a teacher to my two boys.They thoroughly admired him. I had
the pleasure of being a fellow faculty
member at St. Ignatius.
He did what to be done. He did it when it was to be done and he did it the way it was to be done.
He is in heaven
Michael Rosinia
Albuquerque New Mexico

Coach was a wonderful and friendly man who showed all of us how to be a good person. He will be missed. Our prayers and Masses this weekend will be dedicated to Jim and his family.

Mr. Connelly was my Geometry and World History teacher. He was my favorite teacher in my academic career. He was fair and compassionate - a wonderful man and teacher. May he rest in peace.
Patty Ryan SICP 1987

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Jim was my geometry teacher in 1977. My favorite memory of him was the Walk for St Ignatius. Everyone had pins on them that said "I'm gonna walk for St Ignatius" but Jim refused to wear anything that didn't have proper English so he taped a slip of paper over "gonna" and using a marker wrote "going to". He was a great man and at reunions we all share Mr Connelly stories. He'll be remembered for decades to come. My deepest condolences to the family and to all his friends.

Jim was my Geometry teacher in 1987 at SICP. He was patient, precise and fair. I was happy when my homework proofs were done and would pass his muster.

Obviously a great man, teacher, father, coach and friend. Godspeed!

I have had the pleasure of sharing time with Jim Connelly,having taught at St. Ignatius with him for seven of his 41 years on staff. Truth be told, I love the man! An outstanding teacher, a man for others,religious, loving,and a great father and husband - what better legacy can a man leave? His Irish wit, his impeccable attire, and his understanding of the complexities of his courses enhanced all of us who worked with him. Indeed, his students were blessed by his intellect and his rigorous expectations. An "A" from Mr. Connelly was truly earned and deserved.Yet,given his many gifts, Jim was a "regular" guy... and a gentleman. Truly, our lives are dimmer without his light shining.