Peter Thomas Connolly. Chief Electrician in the early 1960s
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:36 pm'PETER THOMAS CONNOLLY 88, passed away at Meadowcrest at Middletown, in Middletown, DE on Sunday, January 12, 2025 after a brief illness, 3 weeks shy of his 89th birthday.
Peter was born in Tumbarumba, NSW Australia to A. Bernard and Eileen Mary (Egan) Connolly. He moved to Junee as a child and then to Port Kembla. Peter graduated from Christian Brothers College (high school) and then Wollongong Technical College. He entered into an apprenticeship to become an electrician. He worked at the Steelworks in Port Kembla, NSW and also at the Tumut 2 power station in the Snowy Mountains, NSW. He had a 6 month stint in the armed services in Australia as part of a mandatory “call-up” for military training in the 1950’s. He then became a Merchant Navyman, joined the Blue Star Line and was the Chief Electrician on several different ships that travelled all over the world. As an avid photographer, he took many interesting and educational photos from each port. While in port in Philadelphia in 1963, he met his future wife, Beverley. He left the ship and they married on July 25th, 1964 in Bolton, England and lived in London. In 1965, they moved to Australia where both children were born. In 1968, the family moved to Middletown, Delaware.
Once in Delaware, Peter joined the electrical union. He worked on the second span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. He then worked at Avison which eventually became Amoco in Delaware City. After several strikes, he left Amoco and started a long career at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown. He retired from St. Andrew’s at age 62 in 1998. Peter was also a Rotarian and served on the Vestry at St. Anne’s Church in Middletown.
Peter and Beverley enjoyed travelling. They made trips to Ireland, England, Australia, Portugal, and Canada. Peter also enjoyed fishing, cooking, reading, doing crossword puzzles and was a very good carpenter. He was interested in science and nature and the active art of learning. Peter also enjoyed a good joke, telling one or being told one, and finding the “funny” in every day goings on. Most people will remember him smiling.
Peter and Beverley bought a home in Laurel, Delaware on Records Pond. They remodeled, added on and upgraded the home. Once retired, Peter spent most of his time there, he loved it so much. Beverley would join him on the weekends there initially, entertaining family and friends. The “Laurel House” became their full time home 20 years later when they both retired and they continued to enjoy watching nature and entertaining.
He was predeceased by his wife, Beverley (Burge) Connolly; his parents, Arthur Bernard and Eileen Mary (Egan) Connolly; his sister, Patricia M. (Connolly) Happ.
He is survived by a sister, Bernice (Connolly) Snushall in Banora Point, NSW Australia; a daughter, Kirsten J. Connolly Lopez (Ovidio) of Rehoboth Beach; a son, Gavin K. Connolly (Jennifer) of Middletown; 5 granddaughters, Cameron Garton and Karina Lopez; Hannah, Abigail, and Elaina Connolly; and one great-grandson. He is also survived by 3 nephews and a niece whom he loved dearly.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10 am at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 15 E. Green St., Middletown, DE 19709. Burial will follow in St. Anne’s Cemetery'
Sincere Condolences go to all his family.
Peter was born in Tumbarumba, NSW Australia to A. Bernard and Eileen Mary (Egan) Connolly. He moved to Junee as a child and then to Port Kembla. Peter graduated from Christian Brothers College (high school) and then Wollongong Technical College. He entered into an apprenticeship to become an electrician. He worked at the Steelworks in Port Kembla, NSW and also at the Tumut 2 power station in the Snowy Mountains, NSW. He had a 6 month stint in the armed services in Australia as part of a mandatory “call-up” for military training in the 1950’s. He then became a Merchant Navyman, joined the Blue Star Line and was the Chief Electrician on several different ships that travelled all over the world. As an avid photographer, he took many interesting and educational photos from each port. While in port in Philadelphia in 1963, he met his future wife, Beverley. He left the ship and they married on July 25th, 1964 in Bolton, England and lived in London. In 1965, they moved to Australia where both children were born. In 1968, the family moved to Middletown, Delaware.
Once in Delaware, Peter joined the electrical union. He worked on the second span of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. He then worked at Avison which eventually became Amoco in Delaware City. After several strikes, he left Amoco and started a long career at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown. He retired from St. Andrew’s at age 62 in 1998. Peter was also a Rotarian and served on the Vestry at St. Anne’s Church in Middletown.
Peter and Beverley enjoyed travelling. They made trips to Ireland, England, Australia, Portugal, and Canada. Peter also enjoyed fishing, cooking, reading, doing crossword puzzles and was a very good carpenter. He was interested in science and nature and the active art of learning. Peter also enjoyed a good joke, telling one or being told one, and finding the “funny” in every day goings on. Most people will remember him smiling.
Peter and Beverley bought a home in Laurel, Delaware on Records Pond. They remodeled, added on and upgraded the home. Once retired, Peter spent most of his time there, he loved it so much. Beverley would join him on the weekends there initially, entertaining family and friends. The “Laurel House” became their full time home 20 years later when they both retired and they continued to enjoy watching nature and entertaining.
He was predeceased by his wife, Beverley (Burge) Connolly; his parents, Arthur Bernard and Eileen Mary (Egan) Connolly; his sister, Patricia M. (Connolly) Happ.
He is survived by a sister, Bernice (Connolly) Snushall in Banora Point, NSW Australia; a daughter, Kirsten J. Connolly Lopez (Ovidio) of Rehoboth Beach; a son, Gavin K. Connolly (Jennifer) of Middletown; 5 granddaughters, Cameron Garton and Karina Lopez; Hannah, Abigail, and Elaina Connolly; and one great-grandson. He is also survived by 3 nephews and a niece whom he loved dearly.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10 am at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 15 E. Green St., Middletown, DE 19709. Burial will follow in St. Anne’s Cemetery'
Sincere Condolences go to all his family.