James Connolly Jr

James J. Connolly, 94, of Englewood, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2026.

Born on March 29, 1931 in Lowell, later moving to Dorchester, Massachusetts, he was the son of James J. Connolly and Marion Higgins Connolly. Known to many as “Jim,” he earned his high school equivalency from Newman Prep, a B.A. in Education from Fitchburg State Teachers College, and a Master’s degree in Education from Bridgewater State College.

Jim spent more than 30 years as an industrial arts teacher in Braintree, where he taught woodworking, metalwork, and drafting/technical drawing. From 1970 to 1972, he took a two-year sabbatical to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer, bringing his family to the West Indies as part of the first family accepted into the program. While in Barbados, he taught at the Samuel Prescott Polytechnic, helped develop curriculum, and started a free after-school swimming program for students.

Upon returning to Braintree High School, Jim became Department Head of Career Education, helped negotiate union contracts, and was and helped facilitate introducing computers into the school system.

A decorated Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and a member of VMF-212, Jim participated in two significant events of the Korean War: the invasion of Inchon and the Chosin Reservoir campaign. Aboard the USS Bataan, he worked as a mechanic on Corsair aircraft. Though a lifelong “Semper Fi” Marine, he later protested publicly against the Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq.

Jim was an avid reader and remained committed to learning throughout his life. In later years, he built musical instruments, learned to paint, wrote poetry, and even took to the stage—once portraying Charles Bukowski, much to the horror of his Tangerine Woods community. He loved the outdoors and could often be found surf casting on Cape Cod, hiking in the White Mountains, playing golf, or playing bocce with his wife, Celia. He was an intense and driven man who grew up quickly on the streets of Dorchester, Massachusetts—setting up pins in a bowling alley before joining the Marines at the age of seventeen.

He is survived by his wife, Celia M. Connolly of Englewood, Florida; his sister, Marilyn MacLellan of Hingham, Massachusetts; his children, James J. Connolly of Santa Barbara, California, Linda M. Cotter of San Carlos, California, and Kevin G. Connolly of Cambridge, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his brothers, Paul Connolly and David Connolly.

Visitation will be held at Farley Funeral Home in Venice, FL Saturday, 4/25, 11:30a-2p, with a service at 12p.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peace Corps Partnership Program: https://www.peacecorps.gov/donate