Michael was devoted to family
THERE was sadness in Bray in recent days at the death of Michael Connolly of Kilmantain Park, a former Lord Mayor of Bray, recipient of the papal Benemerenti medal, and a man who was devoted to his community and church, and most completely devoted to his family.
His funeral cortège paused for prayers led by Fr Michael O’Kelly last Friday at his beloved Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Bray, which is currently closed for renovations. Parishioners placed tributes to Michael outside the church and attended to pay their respects at a careful distance to a man who gave so much to others and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
Michael’s son Alan and granddaughter Abbie placed a white rose in front of the church at the conclusion of the prayers.
A private family funeral service was then held at the Holy Rosary in Greystones before he was laid to rest at Springfield Cemetery.
Michael was born on January 16, 1934 to John and Bridget Connolly. He lived along with his siblings Jimmy, Carmel, Julie and the late Bridget in Bath Avenue in Sandymount.
While growing up in Sandymount Michael took a great interest in swimming and started to swim at any opportunity he got.
He took part in the Liffey swim race for many years and also played water polo, winning plenty
of silverware between both activities.
He was also a lifeguard and a great swimming instructor, which came in handy when coaching his son Alan for his competitions, and teaching a lot of people to swim.
Another great interest was in music. He took up the clarinet and was a talented player.
Michael got his first job in Raleigh Ireland at the age of 15. He later moved to Capital Stationery in Parker Hill, Dublin, where he trained as a fitter. This is also where he met the love of his life, his late wife, Eileen Brien.
He then moved premises with Capital Stationery up to a new purpose built factory in Walknistown where they changed the name to Capital Spicers, which later became a household name for envelopes and copy books in Ireland. He continued to work there for over 45 years when he retired in 1999.
When Michael and Eileen got married on June 24, 1959, he moved to Bray where they started a new life together. They had four children - Patricia, Martin, Alison and Alan.
He was a devoted husband and father who worked very hard to support his family. A short time after moving to Bray he started getting involved in the community. He joined various committees in schools and community groups.
He was also the founding member of the Bray & North Wicklow branch of the Irish wheelchair association, and a member of CASA - the Caring and Sharing Association.
Michael was a keen fundraiser for various charities throughout the community and a swimming coach in Bray Swimming Club.
About 50 years ago, Michael started to get involved in the Holy Redeemer church as a collector at Sunday Mass.
This was the start for him and he went on to join various church committees over the years.
In 1986 he decided to represent Holy Redeemer in the race for Lord Mayor of Bray. To his delight, he was victorious and enjoyed his year as Lord Mayor, attending various functions and making very dear friends along the way.
After he retired in 1999 he devoted more time to the church, was a senior sacristan, and started organising the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. This was very dear to the hearts of both Michael and his wife. His first trip was in 1971 and he continued to organise the pilgrimage up until last year.
In 2017, Michael was presented with the papal medal, the Benemerenti. The special medal was awarded by Pope Francis for his many years of dedicated services. Monseigneur Enda Lloyd said on the occasion of the presentation of the medal that Michael had done so much for the parish over the decades, from looking after the alter servers, to being a minister of Holy Communion, readings, a leader of the parish pilgrimage to Lourdes and much more. ‘Michael is someone the people hold in the highest regard,’ said Mgr Lloyd on that occasion to a large congregation of well-wishers. ‘He gives a huge amount of time, energy, kindliness and goodness. On behalf of all the priests of the parish, we find him a most wonderful, reliable and lovely man. If he said he would do a thing, you wouldn’t ever have to ask again. And he is totally confidential. He’s a very charitable man, in all his ways.’
Outside the church Michael was a great family man and loved being around his family and friends. He also enjoyed going out on family excursions, whether for day trips or drives they had going to places that held cherished memories for him.
Michael had a lot of talents and interests, but his family members think his best one was falling asleep in the chair watching the TV, and when asked if he was asleep responding ‘I wasn’t asleep, I was just resting my eyes!’
Michael is survived by his children, brother and sisters and their partners, his six great-grandchildren, his great-grandson, nieces, nephews, extended family and his wide circle of friends.