NATICK, Mass. — Joseph W Connolly Jr., 88, of Natick, died Friday, Nov. 26, at the Mary Ann Nursing Home in Natick, Mass.

A Natick resident for 64 years, he was born in Brooklyn N.Y., the son of the late Joseph W and Cecelia (Reilly) Connolly.

Mr. Connolly and his brother, Jack were the owners of Connolly Homes of Natick which they operated for 50 years until retirement in 1991.He had previously worked in real estate development with the Martin Cerel Company.

He enjoyed travel, especially trips to Ireland, reading military history of which he acquired an extensive collection, and made models of historic U.S. Navy ships.

Mr. Connolly was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II and Korea. During World War II, he was a survivor of two ships that were sunk by enemy fire, the U.S.S. Lexington in the Pacific, and the U.S.S. Block Island in the Atlantic. He was actively involved in each of the ships naval reunion groups for many years and was a former member of the Natick Lions Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Sherry Boudreau and her husband, Dick, of Framingham, Mass., Sue Martin and her husband, Gerry, of Roxbury, Mass.; one brother, Jack Connolly and his wife, Delores, of Holliston, Mass.; three sisters, Joan Daly of Fair Lawn N.J., Janet Guinee and her husband, Warren, of Columbia, S.C. and Centerville Mass., Doris Fair and her husband, Bob, of Natick, Mass. and Centerville, Mass; six grandchildren, Christine, Michelle and her husband, Ed, Matt and his wife, Meghan, Erin, Colleen and her husband, Aaron, and Melissa; five great-grand-children, Theo, Katherine, Hannah, Alaina, Rocco; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, James Connolly.

Services by John Everett and Sons Funeral Home. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.everettfuneral.com.

Joseph W Connolly Jr. 88, of Natick died Friday November 26 2010 at the Mary Ann Nursing Home in Natick.

A Natick resident for 64 years he was born in Brooklyn NY the son of the late Joseph W and Cecelia (Reilly) Connolly.

Mr. Connolly and his brother Jack were the owners of Connolly Homes of Natick which they operated for 50 years until retirement in 1991.He had previously worked in real estate development with the Martin Cerel Company.

He enjoyed travel, especially trips to Ireland , reading military history of which he acquired an extensive collection, and made models of historic U.S Navy ships.

Mr. Connolly was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in WWII and Korea. During World War II he was a survivor of two ships that were sunk by enemy fire, the USS Lexington in the Pacific, and the USS Block Island in the Atlantic. He was actively involved in each of the ships naval reunion groups for many years and was a former member of the Natick Lions Club.

He is survived by two daughters Sherry Boudreau and her husband Dick of Framingham, Sue Martin and her husband Gerry of Roxbury Maine, one brother Jack Connolly and his wife Delores of Holliston, three sisters Joan Daly of Fair Lawn NJ,Janet Guinee and her husband Warren of Columbia SC and Centerville MA, Doris Fair and her husband Bob of Natick and Centerville, 6 grandchildren, Christine ,Michelle and her husband Ed, Matt and his wife Meghan, Erin, Colleen and her husband Aaron, Melissa, 5 great-grand-children,Theo,Katherine,Hannah,Alaina,Rocco, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He also the brother of the late James Connolly.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Tuesday at 9:00 A.M. from the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home 4 Park Street, at Natick Common, followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St Patrick’s Church at 10:00 A.M.

Visiting hours are Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society 30 Speen Street Framingham MA 01701.

For directions and online condolences please visit www.everettfuneral.com