JOHN P. "HAPPY JACK" CONNOLLY

JOHN P. "HAPPY JACK" CONNOLLY

AGE: 85 EDISON

John P. "Happy Jack" Connolly, 85, of Edison, completed his journey on earth peacefully with his wife at his side on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. He left in his wake legacies that will live on for generations to come.

Born in Scotland, he came to the U.S., living in New Brunswick before moving to Edison 60 years ago. John was employed as senior supervisor at Bristol Myers Squibb for 36 years, retiring in 1982, then superintendent of sanitation for Edison Township for eight years, retiring in 1990.

He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the Army's 501st Parachute Regiment in the Pacific, European and African Theaters and was a recipient of the Bronze Medal.

Jack was a communicant and founding father of St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, Edison for 50 years and a member of the Matt Talbot #66 Retreat Group.

He was a Democratic committeeman in Edison for 25 years, and a member of the Executive Board, a member of the Democratic Organization Zoning Board and various other committees.

Happy Jack managed and coached for the Midtown Little League in Edison, a member of Knights of Columbus 4885, 4th Degree in Edison, and was a friend of Bill W. for 23 years.

Jack was predeceased by his first wife, Gertrude, in 1962; his second wife, Victoria, in 1984; and a son, John J., in 2005. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of eight years, Marie Wieder Connolly; his loving children and their spouses, Ginny Connolly-Manhardt and her husband Andrew of Sanford, N.C., and Barbara Laudien and her husband Harold of Fairless Hills, Pa.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at Boylan Funeral Home, 10 Wooding Ave., Edison. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 19 from the funeral home, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Matthew's R.C. Church, Edison. Burial will be in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Happy Jack to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.