Obituary of Bro. Kevin P. Connolly SDB

BRO. KEVIN P. CONNOLLY, SDB (1937-2016) Bro. Kevin died after a brief illness at the provincial house of the Salesians of Don Bosco in New Rochelle, N.Y., on May 29. He was born in Brooklyn on Jan. 29, 1937, the son of Peter and Mary Fitzpatrick Connolly. He joined the Salesians in Sept. 1955, and made his profession of vows on Sept. 8, 1956. His desire was to work with youth, save his own soul and those of others in the name of Jesus Christ. Bro. Kevin was assigned to Don Bosco Tech in Paterson in Sept. 1956, where he taught printing and coached various sports. From 1959 to 1962 he fulfilled similar responsibilities at Mary Help of Christians School in Tampa. In 1962, he was sent to Don Bosco Juniorate in Haverstraw, N.Y., to help train candidates for the brotherhood. He continued to teach printing and was made the athletic director. In 1965 Bro. Kevin returned to Tampa for a 16-year stint as athletic director and coach, print shop manager, and teacher. He served as president of the West Coast Athletic League for a time. In 1981 he was assigned to Don Bosco Technical High School in Boston, where he served as athletic director of a large and highly competitive program for four years. He was an official in the Boston Catholic athletic program. That was followed by four years in East Boston on the staff of the Salesian Boys and Girls Club while taking courses at Boston and Emmanuel colleges. He was granted a diploma as an advanced clinical pastoral chaplain by Andover Newton Theological School in 1989, took summer courses at Rutgers, and in 1989-1990 worked as a clinical pastoral counselor/chaplain at Boston City Hospital and a counselor at the Detention Home for Boys in Boston. Later that year attained a certificate in alcohol counseling from Boston College's Graduate School of Social Work. Recognizing the need for trained counselors, the province allowed Bro. Kevin to enroll in Hazelden in Center City, Minn., from which he graduated in 1991 as a clinical pastoral counselor. He spent a year in Florida practicing his counseling and chaplaincy skills in a chemical dependency program. In the fall of 1991, he took those skills to Salesian High School in New Rochelle, where he was a member of the guidance department for nine years. In that period he was also a lecturer and preacher at Matt Talbot adult retreats and various 12-step programs and worked with both men and women on issues of alcohol dependency, including spiritual support. He earned a B.S. in pastoral ministry and chemical dependency at Iona College (New Rochelle) in 2000. From 2000 to 2002 he served on the guidance staff at Don Bosco Prep High School in Ramsey, N.J. From 2002 to 2008 he was on the staff of the Salesian house of formation in Orange, N.J., as treasurer and member of the formation team. In 2008 he returned yet again to Tampa as coordinator of the Salesians' retirement home, the St. Philip the Apostle Residence. Bro. Kevin retired in 2014, moving to the provincial house in New Rochelle. He spent much of his tame working at Salesian Missions, where his cheerful presence was appreciated. Bro. Kevin is survived by his brothers Vincent and Thomas, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. Throughout his Salesian life Bro. Kevin exemplified the hard work and piety of the Salesian brother.. His good nature and cheerfulness endeared him to everyone. All services will be held at the Salesian High School Chapel, 148 E. Main Street, New Rochelle, NY. Wake: Thursday, June 2 from 3-5pm, 7-9pm.. Funeral Mass: Friday, June 3 at 10:00 am. Burial: 2:00 pm at the Salesian Cemetery, 3 Craigville Rd., Goshen, NY 10924. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Fox Funeral Home of Larchmont, N.Y.