Eugene J. Connolly

Eugene  J. "Gene" Connolly, age 85, of Mpls, MN. Born to Water and Gladys in September of 1927, Gene grew up in Minneapolis with brothers Bob and Jerry; his only sister died at the age of three. He was Irish through and through and spent a good part of his youth raising Cain at the Catholic schools he attended.

He graduated from DeLaSalle High School and served in the US Army, stationed in Japan toward the end of WWII. He enrolled in the U of MN becoming one of the first hundred licensed physical therapists in the US. Married Esther while in college, had four children in a row and raised the family in Hopkins, making sure Colleen, Maureen, Kathleen and Kevin all attended Catholic school too. He had a deep love and concern for his family, though not always the best tools to share that with them.

He loved the Twin Cities; knew them inside out, introducing his kids to things as diverse as where to go climb on tanks to where to find the fantastic original Coney Island restaurant.

Gene’s dedication to Physical Therapy enabled him to help countless veterans in need.  He worked 50 years at the VA hospital while also working at St. Josephs, Fairview Hospital and the Minnesota Veterans home.  He was the recipient of numerous awards in his field including the VA Administrator's Hand and Hearts Award which celebrated professional expertise, emotional support, help, and guidance to patients above and beyond the call of duty.  He was also a teacher and mentor to dozens of PT students throughout his long career.

Gene was extremely patriotic and was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Fraternal Order of Eagles as well as the National Federal Employees Association and the U of MN Alumni Association. He was passionate about airplanes and piloted planes when he was young until side-lined by a bout of anxiety. However, he retained a special love of aircraft and flying. He was especially intrigued by planes used in WWII and was a longtime member of the EAA and the EAA War Birds of America.

He liked Charlie Chaplin and Woody Allen; the state fair and homemade Mexican food. A brilliant and funny man who rarely met a joke he didn’t like, taking great pleasure in telling them all.  He always tried to keep a healthy attitude despite all the hardship he saw around him. The fact that he spent a lifetime helping others and rarely asked for help himself, even in the latter stages of vascular and heart disease, speaks to his magnanimity. His grandkids brought him particular joy, he could do his magic tricks all over again! He was a delightful grandpa, ever proud of Cy, Dillon, Nik and Zoe.

A loyal and lifelong friend to many we know, and many we do not know, thank you all for being a part of his life.