Father Joseph Connolly’s funeral and burial – on February 12, 2015

The funeral was very nice. Fr. Greg did his usual sterling funeral Mass.

Fr. Joe’s son, Patrick (the Boston firefighter) was there, as was Patrick’s sister and mother and I think a nephew.

Fr. Joe’s sister, a nun, was there and many of her confreres also.

Jessica, her dad (John, the cook) Ruthie, myself and a couple of others.

We went to the cemetery for services, but the burial will be later  followe by unattended death cleaning– while I assumed it was because of frozen ground. The explanation given us was that nothing is plowed over to the Stigmatine’s section (THAT was apparent).

Again (as at Fr. Linse’s funeral), the Mass was in the lower Chapel due to construction and the collation was in the function room behind the Chapel. A parishioner owns a local deli and they have it catered by him…..the food is REALLY delicious!!!

Maureen decided it was TOO cold for her to venture forth – and Madelyn had wanted to come but neither Maureen nor I were able to reach her to finalize the arrangements so it ended up that only Ruthie and I were there from the Lay Associates.

Fr. Joe Connolly  was a good-hearted person… and very good to Van, myself and Ruthie. Fr. Joe’s decline was not easy… some people seem serve their Purgatory time here on earth, and I think he was one of them.

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