Obituary of William G. Connelly

William G. "Bill" Connelly

Olean, NY     William G. "Bill" Connelly of N. 10th St. passed away peacefully Monday (July 24, 2017) at the Wellsville Manor.

Born December 25, 1931 in Branchdale, PA he was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Doyle Connelly.  On November 19, 1960 in Niagara Falls he married Nancy A. Dabb who survives.

Bill retired from the US Army in 1970 after serving for 20 years.  He was the service manager for Mastel Ford for 16 years and then owned and operated West State Service as well as Ryder Trucks until he retired.

He always loved Irish music and gladly served as a local radio and television personality for 30 years.  He was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Parish and was a life member of the St. Stephen's Club and the Olean VFW Post 1619.  He was also a member of several other clubs both past and present, including the Olean American Legion Post 530, the Pulaski Club, the Olean City Club, the Allegany Knights of Columbus, the Olean Moose Lodge, the Olean Elk's Lodge and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

He enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren, being with his "adopted" Olean Connelly's, and having a beer with friends.

Surviving besides his wife Nancy of 56 years are a daughter Colleen (Drew Sneddon) Gaynor of Westons Mills; a son Timothy R. Connelly of Carolina Beach, NC; 5 grandchildren Sinead Gaynor of Bend, OR, Brady Gaynor of Boulder, CO, Sarah (Gerrie) Hurlbut of Durham, NC and Timothy W. Connelly and Elizabeth Connelly, both of Wilmington, NC; 3 great grandchildren Lindsey, Emmett and Olivia Hurlbut; 4 siblings Daniel Connelly of Fayetteville, NC, Margaret Compton of Richmond, VA, Ann (Larry) Ditzler of Cressona, PA and Donna Connelly of Pottsville, PA and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by several siblings and a granddaughter Lindsey Connelly in 2006.

The family will be present to receive friends for a memorial visitation on Friday from 5-8pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean.  A memorial mass will be celebrated Saturday (July 29, 2017) at 10am at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  Rev Gregory Dobson, pastor, will be the celebrant.

Memorials may be made to Easterseals Diagnostic & Treatment Center 103 White Spruce Boulevard, Rochester, NY 14623 or to an Easterseals Center of the donor's choice. 

Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.