THOMAS JOSEPH CONNELLY
Tom, 89, formerly of Penn Hills, died Thursday evening, February 12, 2015. Son of Thomas Connelly and Bridie Lavelle of Clifden and Streamstown, Ireland; beloved husband of the late Kathleen (Ludwig) Connelly; beloved father of Lynda (Frank) Pastor, Terence (Deborah) Connelly, Gregory (Carol) Connelly, Kathleen Blattenberger and Sean (Laura) Connelly; brother of Mary Louise Sullivan and the late Patrick and George Connelly; grandfather of Shannon, Sean, Ryan, Darren, Meg and Cate. Tom was a retired foundry superintendent with U.S. Steel Corporation at the Edgar Thompson Works in Braddock. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1950 with a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was a Navy veteran serving aboard the U.S.S. Ben Franklin CV-13 during the Pacific campaign during World War II. On March 19, 1945, off the coast of Japan, a Japanese bomber managed to infiltrate the carrier’s airspace and dropped two 500 pound bombs severely damaging the vessel. Heroic efforts by the crew saved the ship while 739 shipmates perished . He was a member of the American Legion and the Oakmont Elks. Tom volunteered his time as a tax advisor especially aiding the elderly with their tax returns. He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Verona. An avid Pittsburgh sports team fan, Tom loved the Pirates, Panthers, Steelers and Arnold Palmer. He loved Ireland especially his relatives and family home in Clifden, County Galway. Friends and relatives will be received at BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont on Monday, February 16, 2015, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Verona on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 10 a.m. Family suggests memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Feb. 15 to Feb. 16, 2015
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-joseph-connelly&pid=174157823&fhid=4271&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.gBHSQJMW.dpuf