ROCHELLE — John “Jack” Patrick Connolly was born May 12, 1937 in Rochelle, to Francis and Gertrude (Mertel) Connolly. He passed away July 26, 2019 at his home at the age of 82.
Jack and Judith Eileen Hayes were joined in marriage Feb. 12, 1966 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Rochelle. Their union was blessed with three children, Christina (Galen) Cardott, Kevin (Renae) Connolly, and Catherine (Matthew) Meives.
Jack’s grandchildren, Alexander, Julia, and Logan Frye, Rachel Cardott, Aiden and Grayson Connolly, and Evan, Justin, and Alexis Meives were the joys in his life. He was very proud of each one and cheered them on at hundreds of sporting events and school programs . . . from soccer games in the cold rain and baseball games in the heat to school programs on uncomfortable bleachers, he was there.
Jack was a 1955 graduate of Rochelle Township High School and earned his B.S. in Business from the University of Notre Dame in 1959.  After college, he returned home and became the first manager of the Rochelle Savings and Loan. He continued his business career by co-owning John A. Carlson Insurance and Connolly Real Estate where he was able to work with his dad. After selling the business, he worked for several years at the First National Bank of Rochelle and retired in 2005.
Jack was well-known in the community for his countless volunteer hours in many civic and religious organizations where he was a member or held office. He served as a volunteer firefighter in both the Rochelle Fire Department and Steward Fire Department. In 1973, he was one of the three original board trustees for the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District. Over the next several years, he supervised the growth of the District through the additions of Creston, Steward and Hillcrest. Jack was instrumental in developing the Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District into one of the most effective service providers in Illinois. He retired from the District after 40 years of service.
Jack loved to be social and talked to everyone. He enjoyed breakfast with friends at the Sunrise Restaurant and coffee with others, including lifelong friends, Dave Hakanson and Phil Nye, Jr., at the Rochelle Pharmacy. If you had the chance to talk with him, you would know he saw the good in everyone. He always had a story to tell, an idea to share, or an opinion to state. For his children growing up, meeting new people often ended with the phrase “I know your dad.” This was even true when his older grandchildren, Alex and Julia, met new people. Everyone knew Jack Connolly.
From an early age, Jack embraced his Catholic faith. He attended mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church during the week and on Sunday. He prayed the Rosary each day and made pilgrimages to Ireland and Israel.
Jack was an avid Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed cheering on the Fighting Irish football team and the Connolly family had season tickets to all the home games in South Bend. Notre Dame gear was always the way to go for birthday or Christmas presents. He was very proud of his alma mater.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann Hall, brother-in-law, Kenneth Hall, and nephews, Timothy Hall and Patrick Hall.
He is survived by his immediate family and grandchildren along with sisters, Kathryn (James) Morrison of Toronto and Patricia Hall of Rochelle.
The visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St., Rochelle.  The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle, with Father Ruben Herrera officiating.  To celebrate Jack’s life, the family has requested casual attire for the service.
Burial will follow the service at St. Patrick Cemetery in Rochelle.  
Memorials may be made in Jack’s memory to Ogle-Lee Fire Protection District.  
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.