Patrick C. Connolly 1937-2021

He was born Feb. 26, 1937, in Youngstown, to the late Winifred O’Malley and Christopher Connolly.

Pat was one of 10 children and beginning at the age of 8, he spent 10 years at St. Paul Orphanage, with his brothers and sisters, in Pittsburgh. Pat remained there until he went into the Army, serving from 1954 to 1956, at Fort Knox and Fort Lee,Va.

Following the Army, Pat worked at General Motors in Lordstown, as well as served as a union representative at UAW Local 1112 for more than 30 years. Upon retirement from GM, Pat ran his own business, Connolly’s Garden Center, which he opened while working at the Lordstown plant and became a professional landscaper. Pat was also a reserve deputy for the Mahoning County Sheriff and a member of the Veterans American Legion Post 301. The United Veterans Council presented him with a Citizen of the Year Award in 2013.

Pat has devoted most of his life helping those around him. Pat’s most proud endeavor was the Mahoning Valley 9-11 Memorial, located on Raccoon Road in Austintown. Pat was the founder and chairman. Pat could be found at the park seven days per week, 365 days a year, regardless of the weather looking after the memorial since its dedication in 2007, planting every tree and laying every rock into place with his friends and family nearby.

On Dec. 18, 1956, he married Rose Marie Caruso Connolly at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Parish. They were married for 65 years.

Patrick also leaves to cherish his memory his aunt, Esther Woodruff; two brothers, Leo (Sandy) Wilson and Bob “My Kid” (Sandy) Connolly; sisters, Winnie (Jim) Shimelonis and Dorothy (Carl) Smallwood; daughter, Maria “Little Girl” Connolly; sons, Robert (Mary) Connolly and Patrick Connolly Jr.; nephews, Fred Wilson, Benjamin Wilson and Mike (Janet) Zlenka; niece, Beverlee (Bruce) Burdick; grandchildren, Christopher “JB” Connolly, Brittany Connolly, Ryan Connolly, Andrew Brewer and Nicole Brewer; best friends, Lisa “Sweetheart” Oles and Libby Long; as well as many great-grandchildren, nephews, cousins and several close friends. He also loved his two dogs, Pepe and Copper.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Centofanti; and grandchild, William Brewer Jr.

Family and friends may call Wednesday, June 23, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown, where words of remembrance will be given at 7:30 p.m.

Closing prayers will begin at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m., at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Parish.

Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

(special notice)