James Andrew "Jim" Connelly, 87
James Andrew "Jim" Connelly, 87, of Quartzsite, Ariz., former longtime Kalispell resident, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, due to complications of congestive heart failure.
He was born June 14, 1917, in Bagnell, Mo., to Andrew and Alice (Keown) Connelly, the youngest of three sons. He moved to Brady, Neb., as a youngster and lived there until he moved to Electric City, Wash., in 1951, then to Kalispell, in 1954.
James served his country honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II, with duty in France and Germany.
He worked many years in the automotive industry, and retired as a body and fender man after being employed for many years by Rygg Ford Body Shop in Kalispell. Following that, he and his wife, Opal, became "snowbirds," spending their winters in Arizona, and summering in California, Oregon and Montana.
Jim loved boating, hunting and fishing, flying the model airplanes he built, and panning and dredging for gold. His greatest "strike" was in being a wonderful family man who had many friends who enjoyed just being in his presence. Jim loved to "tinker" and was always busy at one task or another. His friends often joked that when he bought something new he was planning on remodeling it even before getting it out of the box.
His greatest gift to his family was his good name. Few men have the integrity he passed on to those who followed him. His patience and generosity sprinkled with his quiet sense of humor touched us all.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Noble and John, and his son, Maurice.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Opal, in Quartzsite, Ariz.; and his daughter, Sharon, and her husband, Ron Albiston, of Lolo. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Patrick and Cathy Connelly of Kalispell, Joe and Kim Harness of Kila, Doug and Tana Carey of Bigfork, Stephen and Ginger Kauffman of Kalispell, Holly Presnell of Milwaukie, Ore., Lloyd and Penny Benetti of Milwaukie, David and Shawnee Adams of Oregon City, Ore., Wade and Brenda Albiston of Colville, Wash., and Rand and Gina Albiston of Kettle Falls, Wash. He also has 17 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and one great-great-great-grandchild. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews across the states, and countless friends.
A private prayer service following cremation was held for "Poppa." "Next summer when the skies are blue, the sun is shining, and the fish are biting, a celebration of the life he shared with us will be held in the Flathead Valley by his family and friends."