Richard J Connolly

Richard J. (Dick) Connolly Jr, 82, of Green Brook, NJ passed away on December 18, 2025 in New Brunswick, NJ.
 
Dick was born in Plainfield to Richard J. Connolly Sr and Dorothea Weiner Connolly on February 7, 1943.  He attended St. John’s Grammar School in Dunellen and St Benedict’s Prep in Newark before graduating from Dunellen High School in 1961. He married his high school sweetheart, Katherine (Kathy) Flynn Connolly, on September 12, 1964 in Dunellen. In his 30 year career with Bell Telephone (Verizon) Dick worked his way from Lineman to Manager.  During his early years he enjoyed playing keyboards and guitar with his band, The Bunche, at local venues and at the Jersey Shore. At the same time, he was very involved in his community.  Dick became a Junior Firefighter in Dunellen during high school and continued his service in Green Brook for the next 50 years. He held the ranks of Lieutenant, Captain and multiple terms as Assistant Chief.  In 1983 and 1984, Dick served as Chief of the Green Brook Fire Department. He also served as an EMS driver for many years while still active in the fire department.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, and their son Robert James.
 
Dick is survived by his son Richard J. Connolly III and his wife Susan of Green Brook, his daughter Katherine M. Connolly of Green Brook, his sisters Mary Jane Norman (Edward) of Riegelsville PA, Loretta Smith (David) of Cottage Grove, OR, Claire Hall (Richard) of Vero Beach, FL, his brother Charles Connolly (Ellen) of Goshen CT, his sister-in-law Barbara J. Flynn of New York City, and his brother-in-law James A. Flynn Jr. (Lorraine), of Hampton, NJ. Dick is also survived by his grandchildren RJ, Grace, Evan and Joe, as well as his nieces, nephews and his extended family. 
 
We are celebrating Dick’s life at Dunellen Fire Department on January 3, 2026 from 1PM - 4PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Green Brook Fire Company would be gratefully appreciated.  

The Connolly family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Regency Rehabilitation Center of Somerset, Atlantic Visiting Nurse, and Grace Hospice.

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