CONNOLLY, Reginald Austin

Peacefully, with family by his side at the Prince County Hospital Summerside on Saturday November 24, 2018, of Kinkora, aged 83 years. Born in Searletown, he was the son of the late John and Hilda (MacDonald) Connolly. Reg was a devoted husband to Mary, loving father, grandfather and friend. He loved to travel with family. The family traveled together from coast to coast in Canada and United States with their travel trailer. Many trips were tied to visiting friends and family in Canada and the United States. Reg (or Poppy) as his grandkids knew him was always a family man. He was concerned about the importance of education for his children and grandchildren. To that end he always did everything in his power to promote and assist his children and grandchildren with their education. Reg began his career with C.N. Marine, Borden, P.E.I. in 1956 as an assistant stewart. He transferred to the Engine Room Department of the ferry. After he served his apprenticeship he attended the Marine Engineering School at Nova Scotia Technical College, Halifax, N.S., where he earned his First Class Engineering Certificate in 1972. During his career he served as a Senior Chief Engineer, Supervisor of Vessel Maintenance, Assistant Supervisor of Marine Engineering, and Project Manager for the construction of the M. V. Abegweit, a fifty million dollar vessel. In 1985 he became Marine Superintendent for Marine Atlantic, Borden, P.E.I. In 1990, he took an Executive Development Program at Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S. He finished his career as General Manager Operations, P.E.I. and Fundy Service. He was a member of the society of Navel Architects and Marine Engineers. Reg had many talents, from rebuilding cars to obtaining his pilot’s licence and restoring a vintage airplane. In his retirement, Reg stayed busy, building many things including a go-cart for his grandkids and a two seater airplane. Most winters were spent in Florida where he enjoyed the good weather, golf and long walks with his wife Mary. Reg was well known and active in the community and was Chairman of the Community of Kinkora and also a Volunteer Firefighter. He was always a loyal and helpful friend. He will be sorely missed by those who knew him. Reg is survived by Mary Helen (Sexton) Connolly, his wife of 62 years; children, Charles (Elsa) Connolly, Baden (Charlotte Morley) Connolly, Mary (Chris) Davis, Paul Connolly and Shawn (Regan) Connolly; grandchildren, Jessica, Jennifer, Alexander, John, Julia, Olivia and Dylan; sister, Winnifred (Eugene) Kelly. Resting at the Davison Funeral Home Kensington until Wednesday November 28, then forwarded to St. Malachy’s Church, Kinkora for Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. No visitation by personal request. Interment will later take place in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Seven Mile Bay. Following the funeral there will be a reception at Kinkora Place. If so desired contributions may be made to St. Peters Cemetery Fund.