David Connelly

David Charles Connelly, age  92, passed away January 5, 2019 at his home in Bismarck, with his family gathered around him. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 9, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond St, Bismarck.

Family will greet visitors from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 8, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 East Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a vigil will begin at 7:00 pm.

Dave was born July 9, 1926 in Santa Ana, CA, the eighth of nine brothers.  His mother died when he was just 3 years old, and his father was unable to care for all the children, so he was raised by his aunt and uncle, Jimmy and Lois Connelly, in Delano CA.  He graduated from high school early, and joined the U.S. Navy in November 1943.  He often joked that his first assignment was aboard the USS Neversail—also known as Klinefelter Hall, Dickinson State Teacher’s College, Dickinson ND.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Colleen Tobin.  He was later stationed in Saipan.  After WWII ended, he returned to Dickinson where he and Colleen were married in April 1947.  They moved to Mandan, where their oldest daughter Peggy, was born, and later to Beach, where he operated a grocery store and Kathy was born, then to Baker MT, where he began his career with Montana Dakota Utilities and Linda was born, and later Glendive MT, where Chris was born.  He worked for MDU in Glendive until 1983, when he was transferred to Bismarck.  He retired as from MDU as gas superintendent in 1991. For the next several years he and Colleen wintered in Mesa AZ and eventually lived there full time until 2011 when they returned to Bismarck to be closer to their family.  After 5 years at Marillac Manor and Valley View Assisted Living facility, they moved into their current home, and their daughter Linda became their caregiver until his death.

He is survived by Colleen, his wife of nearly 73 years years, daughters Kathy (Bob) Walsh (Larimore ND), Linda Baker, (Bismarck ND) and Chris (Dale) Eckholm, (Indian Land SC), son-in-law Alan Knoll, twelve grandchildren, and 31 great- grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and foster parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ed and Peg Tobin, daughter Peggy Knoll, brother-in-law Patrick Tobin and son-in-law Albert Roller.