Obituary
Lawrence “Larry” Connolly
Lawrence “Larry” Connolly, of La Crescent, and recently of Onalaska and La Crosse passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, January 6, 2016, at Eagle Crest South in La Crosse at the age of 93.
Larry was born October 11, 1922 to Charles A. and Wilhelmina (Gerdes) Connolly in Mount Vernon, New York. On September 6, 1947, Larry married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen “Kay” Carraher. Their 63-year marriage was blessed with five children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They lived in many places throughout their married life and had many happy times together. Larry was a World War II veteran and served in the Active Armed Forces from 1942 to 1946. He bravely fought his way through France and Germany and ended the war in the Austrian Alps. For his brave actions in battle he earned a silver star, a battlefield commission and other honors. Larry returned and earned a Civil Structural Engineering degree from Manhattan College. As a young engineer he proudly participated in the first re-engineering of the Brooklyn Bridge. During his career he worked across the United States and around the world for many companies including Bethlehem Steel, Eichley and MK Ferguson. He spent the first 15 years of his retirement in Vero Beach, FL and then relocated to La Crescent MN in 2005. After his retirement he loved to talk to all who would listen about the bridges he had a hand in building throughout his long career.
Larry is survived by his five children, Maureen (Bill) of La Crescent, MN., Larry of La Crescent, MN., Barb of Duluth, Minn., Mike of Vero Beach FL, and Sue (Pat) of Copley, OH; nine grandchildren, Katie (Gabe) of Mountain View, CA, Andy (Becca) of La Crescent, MN, Tim, Emma and Matthew of La Crescent, MN., Shawn, and Marc of Minneapolis, MN and Michelle of Fort Wayne, IN, and Michael of Copley, OH; and six great-grandchildren, Elese, Zoe, Elliott, Owen, Rosalie, and Lila. He leaves behind his sister, Irene.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay, his parents, brother, Charlie and sister, Pat.
A special “Thank You” goes out to his Eagle Crest North and Eagle Crest South “families” who during the final years of his life brought him much joy and comradery. Thanks also to the many health care providers at Gundersen Clinic, Lutheran Hospital, Bethany St. Joe’s Nursing Home, and Bethany Riverside Nursing home who throughout his final years provided Larry with excellent and loving care. As Larry would often say, “Peace be with you.”
A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 19th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1031 Main St., Onalaska. Msgr. Steven Kachel will be our celebrant. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until the time of mass at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Onalaska American Legion Post 336. Burial will be held at a later date. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
My sympathies to the Connolly Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.