Dennis James Connelly Sr.

AUBURN – Dennis James Connelly Sr, 73, passed away on August 25, 2021, at his home in Auburn, Maine, with his loving wife by his side.Dennis was born in the Bronx, New York, on May 21, 1948 to Eva Marie (Murray) Connelly and James Joseph Connelly. At five weeks old, his parents and older sister, Patricia, moved to Stuyvesant Town, at the corner of Ave A and 14th St, Manhattan, where Dennis lived for the first 20 years of his life. Dennis graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx, New York, in 1966. He received a Court Reporting Associate Degree from Interboro Institute, Manhattan, in 1968. In the fall of 1968, Dennis came to Maine and received his Bachelors Teaching Degree from Thomas College in 1970. Dennis fell in love with Maine and remained in Maine for the rest of his life.Life’s journey brought Dennis to the Information Technology Management field early in his working career. Being a gifted teacher at heart, Dennis’s teaching passion came into play many times throughout his technology years. After retirement, Dennis achieved his Master Gardener Volunteer and then his Master Food Preservation Volunteer certifications through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Programs.The following are words of gratitude from Dennis’s heart: For those that Dennis worked with and for those that he supported during the many years of Information Technology Management career and during his self-employment years of his Denlin Computer Resources business: It was an honor to serve you and it was a blessing to know you all. For the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer and Master Food Preservation Volunteer staff: Thank you for allowing me to be part of these such special programs. And, thank you for recognizing me as the Outstanding Master Food Preservation Volunteer for the year 2017. I am humbled and loved every moment of my gardening and preservation experiences. For Mary Dempsey: Thank you for allowing me to share my vision and work with you together in creating the initial Dempsey Garden. It was an honor to work with you and my fellow gardeners. I am humbled and grateful to have been a part of bringing in fresh fruit and vegetables to clients, caregivers, and staff. For the City of Auburn, Maine, PAL(Police Activities League), staff, children, teenagers and PAL Board: Thank you for choosing me as your Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver and bread maker Volunteer. You all have a special place in my heart and are members of my family. For all PAL children, you are my family and I believe in you all. You are worthy and deserve all that is good in this world. I hold you all in the highest regard and I am grateful for all that you have taught me. I am proud of each and every one of you. Remember that I believe in you.Dennis is survived by his loving wife and soulmate, Linda Connelly, of Auburn, children, Dennis Connelly, Jr of Lewiston, Christopher Connelly of Waterville, and Melissa Cyr of Scarborough; three grandsons, Chase Connelly, Steven Connelly, and Kai Cyr; three granddaughters, Brooke Connelly, Zoey Connelly, and Sage Cyr; two sisters, Patricia Zorka, Maureen Coleman; and two brothers, James Connelly, Kevin Connelly. He was predeceased by his parents.A celebration of life will be held at a later date.Condolences, a video tribute, and memories of Dennis can be shared at http://www.albert-burpee.com . In lieu of flowers, gifts for donation to go to a specific child’s tuition may be made in Dennis’s memory by adding “in memory of Dennis Connelly” in the check memo field and sent to:Cardinal Hayes High SchoolATTN: Development Office650 Grand ConcourseBronx NY, 10451www.cardinalhayes.org/