John J. Connolly, Sr. of Melrose, died on Thursday, July 30, 2009 surrounded by his family at the Sawelle Family Hospice House of Reading, MA. He was 81 years old. Born on the 4th of July 1928 to Andrew P. & Mary (Bresnahan) Connolly, he was raised in Somerville and graduated from Somerville High School, Class of 1944. He lived in Melrose for 36 years and the past 8 years in Stoneham and Boynton Beach, Florida. While in high school, John lied about his age to join the Navy to fight in WWII. After arriving in Italy, he was found out and sent back home only to enlist again serving as a Sonar Man on the Destroyer USS Cone in the Mediterranean. He became an electrician and worked many large construction projects in Boston and at the South Shore Hospital. He was a good mechanic, could handle a crew and had been a member of the IBEW Local # 103 Electrician's Union for over 50 years. His interests were photography, cooking and line dancing. John was the beloved husband of the late Catherine (Walsh) Connolly with whom he shared 43 years of marriage. He was the loving partner of Marguerite Muir of Stoneham. Devoted father of Andrew P. Connolly of Bangkok, Thailand, Mary P. Volpe & her husband Richard of Stoneham, Anne B. Cusato & her husband Ralph of Billerica, Kathleen Fernandes & her husband Garry of Melrose, Patricia M. Scarborough & her husband Kris of Andover, Christopher B. Connolly & his wife Michelle of Saugus & the late David W. & John J. "Jack" Connolly, Jr. Grandfather of 20 and the caring brother of the late Andrew Connolly, Edward Saunders, Kitty Kirchner & Mary Maloney. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Mon. August 3rd at 9 AM. Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose at 10 AM. Family & friends respectfully invited. Visiting hours Sunday 2-6 PM. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Contributions in Jack's memory may be made to the Sawelle Family Hospice House 320 Haverhill St. Reading, MA 01867. For directions, obituary, flowers or to sign guest book, visit www.gatelyfh.com