Dr. Daniel C. Connolly
Friday, July 8, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Age:
93 years old
Visitation
Date: Saturday March 07, 2015
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Saturday March 07, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Celebration of Life
There will be a celebration of Dr. Connolly's life held in the Elizabethan Room at the Kahler Hotel at 5:00 pm on Saturday March 7.
Friday, July 8, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Age:
93 years old
Friday, July 8, 1921
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Age:
93 years old
Dr. Daniel C. Connolly
Daniel Charles Connolly died on March 3, 2015 at age 93. He was the youngest of six children in a family that hailed from counties Limerick and Tipperary, Ireland. After medical school at University College Dublin, he began his residency at the Mayo Clinic on April 1, 1951, and later got a PhD in physiology from the University of Minnesota. An early stint in the cardiovascular lab mentored by his hero, pioneering physiologist Earl Wood, drew him to cardiology. As they developed cardiac catheterization, he and his colleagues often experimented on themselves to improve the procedures.
He was a committed teacher about whom one of his many former students said, “I can’t think of anyone else who managed to strike such a harmonious balance between sober analysis and humorous criticism.” Connolly’s research helped advance important understanding about cardiac ailments, including pericarditis, and the changing patterns of coronary heart disease mortality as part of the groundbreaking Olmsted County Epidemiology study. But his deepest commitment was to clinical medicine, to his patients, and to using his discerning ears and eyes to discover what in later years sophisticated imaging techniques would help to uncover. His Mayo career also included terms as head of the “Connolly” section in cardiology, president of the staff, and chairman of the clinical practice committee.
In 1956, he married Ruth Elisabeth Westrick, a psychiatrist and future associate warden of Rochester’s Federal Medical Center. Marrying Ruth was, in his words, “the best decision I ever made.” They were married for fifty-one years, had eight children, and relished spending time at Spider Lake, travelling, and with their large circle of family and friends all over the world.
Dan Connolly lived longer than any other member of his family, a longevity he credited to great care by his Mayo colleagues. He is survived by eight children (Marie-Therese, Heidi, Daniel, Patrick, John, Brendan, Timothy and Dena), their partners, eleven grandchildren, and Irish nieces and a nephew (Angela, Donal, Josephine and Eileen McNamara). The funeral will be held at St. Francis church on Saturday, March 7th at 11 am, with visitation beginning at 10 am. There will be a celebration of his life at 5:00 pm., also on Saturday at the Elizabethan Room at the Kahler Hotel . In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Poverello Foundation that helps Mayo patients in financial need, or to charities of donors’ choosing.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Dr. Daniel C. Connolly has received the following condolences.
Dear Family of Dr. Connolly,
My prayers for each and all of you! Your father had a wonderful life in so many ways. Although I did not know your father and mother well, I did have the honor of meeting them over the years. Your father had a hearty IRISH sense of humor and a wonderful love of your dear mother.
Although I cannot come to meet your in person, I send prayers and blessing of peace. You have two wonderful PRAY-ERS for the rest of your lives.
With peace and prayers,
Sister Eleanor
Dr. Heidi Connolly & family.
Heidi, I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you and if I'd been
in town wouldn't have missed being there.
God Bless,
Bessie
Dear Heidi & family,
I'm soo sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know your father but reading his obituary he seemed like a wonderful man & father. My thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Love, Diane
"What can one say when a life which has touched and enriched many lives such as that of Dr.Connoly is summoned to come back to his maker, nothing other than thanking him for all he has given." My sincere heartfelt condolences. Chandra
I worked in Dr. Wood`s lab & in many catherizations with
Dr. Connolly assisting Dr. Wood & others. He was a very
nice Dr. to work with & thoughtful always. It was an
honor to know Dr. Dan Connolly. May he rest in peace,
Sending my deep symapthy to his famly.
Dr. Connolly was a gem of a person, and I contribute much of the great success my Father's "heart health" to him. Our sincere condolences to the Connolly family.
Dear Heidi, and all the Connolly family,
I'm very sad to learn of the death of your father. I understand the hollow, lost feeling that comes with losing your last living parent. I hope you can find peace and solace by reflecting on the amazing legacy of his long and wonderful life, and all the great things that he left behind, including an amazing family, great friendships, and a long, prestigious and rewarding career...a life well lived!
My heart goes out to all of you,
Andy Moore
Dear Heidi
Lilach and I would like to send our deepest condolences.
I know how much you really care and took care of your father and I am sure it is a big loss to you and your family.
I will be away next week and apologize for not been able to deliver this message in person
Amir and Lilach
Dear Connolly Family,
I was truly sorry to hear of your father's passing. I am certain he is already in Heaven, next to your Mother, together again and forever :-)! It makes me think back to a truly golden age growing up in Rochester, pal-ing around with your entire clan, trips to Spider Lake, fantastic get to gather's at your house, and all of the wit and wisdom your father would dispense after dinner. What an extraordinary run both he and your mother had together, and what an incredible family they created. When my father was of sound mind, he told me on many occasions what an exceptional colleague your mother was, and I remember the times watching a Vikings game at your house, with your father leading the cheers. Always a gentleman, astute scientist and physician, and never caught with out a joke, he was the epitome of a dedicated family man. Gone but far from forgotten, long may he run.
Sorry I can't attend as will be in California this weekend, but If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to call.
Our warmest condolences,
Andrew Campbell & Family
Dear Heidi, Marie Therese, Nathan and the Connolly Clan-
Please know your father and grandfather's memory will live on long in me, and the Fryes. I am sorry but I am traveling this Saturday and will not be able to join you in your remembrance of Dan Connolly. I appreciate, even more so now Nathan, the 4:30 Jeopardy time you spent with Dan must have been extraordinarily rich. I will always have a smile when I think of his kingdom at Spider Lake, his glow when family was near, and how he always made my mother laugh with his intellect and Irish charm.
Very best regards. Mark Frye
Dear Connolly Children,
Since leaving Rochester almost four years ago, I have missed my opportunities to interact with your loving father. My memories of him include both his deep faith and wonderful sense of humor. I appreciated his frequent Mass attendance and his support for the parish and for me personally. The meals I enjoyed with him and your mother enabled me to witness their love for each other and his success in teaching your mother about humor; she often asked him to repeat one of her favorites among the stories and jokes in your father's repertoire. These included stories about their dating and courtship, and his supposed proposal of marriage - "Would you like to be buried with my people?" (or similar words) In addition to my prayers these days for his eternal happiness and your peace and consolation, I will also toast him with a martini ... but with the olive on the side (per his instructions that the olive not take up any room in the glass).
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Tim Reker
NAME: Bob and Judy Gluek
EMAIL: gluekbeer@me.com
Dear family we are unable to join you this weekend as we are in Texas. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We shall miss the visits in Hayward and the occasional golf course sighting. I also miss the silent companionship at the Demantroviille Retreat house. Our families have had long connections. Peace.
Dear Heidi:
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. What an innings he had and he leaves behind a professional cardiology and scientific legacy of which his daughter and all the other members of his family are entitled to be very proud.
We will be out of town this weekend so regrettably we will be unable to attend the services and funeral.
You and your family are in our thoughts.
Dr. Connolly,
I am sorry to hear about the lost of your father. Our prayers go out to you and your family. God was given another angel to watch over all of us.
God Bless
Kathy Jeanson
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Connolly family. Dr Daniel Connolly has contributed integrally to the art and science of Medical Practice, a great and profound legacy for current and upcoming physicians from all around the world. May he rest in peace.
Dr. Heidi Connolly, so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. He sounds like he was a great physician and mentor. I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him, but nothing like a daughter missing her father. Prayers for you and your entire family during this time of loss. Rae