Michael (Miko) Connolly, age 80 of Hebron, CT, formerly of East Hartford and Ft. Myers, FL, passed away November, 2nd, 2019. Miko was born in Milltown, Co. Galway, Ireland to his parents, Martin and Nora (Comer) Connolly. He was the 5th of 7 children. Five boys and 2 girls. Life was hard and money was scarce but they always had food from their farm and plenty of love of family. At a very young age, Miko had to grow up fast, taking over the household duties including caring for his baby brother when his mother was hospitalized. Adventure and travel was his desire and so at 15 years of age he headed to England to work. He continued these back and forth trips across the Irish Sea for many years. At last he took the biggest trip across the Atlantic. He landed in Boston, January 6, 1966. He headed to Hartford, CT and found work in 2 days. He brought with him a strong work ethic along with the belief that education was the key to a better life. A year and a half later on November 11, 1967, he married his “Irish Colleen” Kathleen Naughton. Together they shared their lives for 52 years. Miko started his own business in 1967, Connolly Landscaping, which he ran for many years until retiring. He worked hard to make a better life for his family. He fulfilled his goal of giving his children a good education and seeing how well they have done. He was a long-time communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church/Blessed Sacrament Church in East Hartford and Church of the Resurrection in Ft. Myers, FL and the Church of the Holy Family in Hebron, CT. He was a lifelong member of the Irish American Home Society in Glastonbury, CT. He cherished his time in Ft. Myers, FL during the winter and missed his many friends and golfing buddies terribly after his stroke. Golf was a big hobby in his life. Every year when he returned from Florida after winter, he started right back golfing with his friends at the East Hartford Golf Club. His family and friends will always remember him as an outgoing man with a big smile, full of Irish wit and grit. He gave all he could to his family. Miko leaves behind his loving wife, Kathleen, his treasured children, Michael, Jr. and his wife Toula of Glastonbury, CT, Joanne and her husband Joseph O’Connor of Hebron, CT, Kathleen and her husband Joseph Carnelli of Colchester, CT and Sean and his wife Carol of Hebron, CT. His greatest joy came from his 12 grandchildren who he enjoyed teasing, playing tricks on and giving them advice. They are: Anna, Teddie and Michael III Connolly; Caleigh, Ryan and Dylan O’Connor; Isabella, Cecelia, Olivia, and Julia Carnelli; Sean and Brendan Connolly. Miko leaves behind his dear brothers and sister in Ireland: Padraig Connolly and his wife Evelyn of Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland, Theresa Farrelly and her husband Paddy of Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland and Brendan Connolly and his wife Marie of Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland, and his sister-in-law Kitty Connolly of Limerick, Ireland. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Sharon Naughton of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. He leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, here and in Ireland. Miko also leaves behind many friends near and far, including his special Friday morning coffee club. Miko was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Thomas Connolly and wife, Josephine Connolly of Limerick, Ireland, his brother, Joseph Connolly of Limerick, Ireland, his sister, Mary McDermott and husband, PJ McDermott of Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, Ireland.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial in remembrance of Miko will be celebrated Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 10:30am in Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Rd. East Hartford (Attendees are asked to go directly to the church). Interment will follow the Mass in Holy Cross Cemetery (Section 2), 1318 Hebron Ave. Glastonbury. To extend online condolences and/or share a memory, please visit farleysullivan.com.
“Maybe someday I’ll go back again to Ireland. If it’s only at the closing of my day. Just to sit and watch the moon rise over Claddagh. And see the sun go down on Galway Bay."