Joseph V. Connolly of South Yarmouth, MA passed away Monday, December 9, 2019.  Born April 20, 1927 in Wilmington, MA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ethel (Goodridge) Connolly.  Joe was brother to the late Jean (Connolly) Roche, her husband Thomas Roche, and late John “Buddy” Connolly and his wife, the late Mary “Pat” Connolly. He is survived by his niece, Anne Marie (Connolly) Paladino and her husband Steve Paladino, of Woburn, MA. He is also survived by several other nieces and nephews.
 

Joe attended Woburn schools and was a graduate of Woburn High School in 1945.  Following high school, Joe joined the U.S. Navy where he proudly served his country on the USS Granville during World War II.  He received several medals and honors including WWII Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal.
 

Joe loved living “on the Cape.” He worked for the Boston Gas Company for 28 years. Joe was an active cribbage player at both the Dennis and Yarmouth senior centers and was also a member of the Sons of Erin Club.  Joe would always bring a smile and cheery disposition and exemplified qualities of a good Christian because of his kindness and generosity especially during the holiday season.

He will be sorely missed by his dear friends, Karen Weeks and Bob Curley.
 

Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. atSaint Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth followed by interment at Chandler Gray Cemetery, West Yarmouth, MA.
 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Mustard Seeds Kitchen, Inc. P.O. Box 833 Wellfleet, MA 02697 or the local Veterans Association in South Yarmouth.

God bless my friend Joe. He is a saint and I will pray for his help when I have difficulty. His gifts of love and caring came from puzzles to the firehouse, plowing drive ways for neighbors even in his late 80’s and showing up at the front door when I worked 3 jobs and no time to cook.....there he was with an entire meal. We were blessed to know him an experience his goodness!!!! I know he has a nice recliner in God’s house!

I will remember Joe as a kind soul with a sense of humor. I met him only a few times at Cribbage Club at the Sons of Erin, but once was enough to know that Joe was a special person. He knew I was a beginner at cribbage and he tried to prevent me from being skunked. And when I forgot my $1 for the pot, he was quick to pay for me, refusing to let me pay him back. So why is it that news of Joe's passing brings tears to my eyes? He was unforgettably kind. The world lost a good man, the heavens gained an angel.