Donald Patrick Connelly

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Don in his home in St Anthony Village. He was embraced by his wife of 56 years and 3 children as he left this world and entered eternal peace on 20 September, 2023. Most of his grandchildren and his sister were able to visit him during those final days. Don was born October 8, 1942 in Breckenridge, Minnesota the second son of Edward and Clementine Connelly. After his older brother convinced him to feel the shocking reality of what it is like to jam a fork into a light socket at the impressionable age of 4, Don pursued an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University. He continued on to gain a Masters in electrical engineering in 1965. While an engineering student, he was intrigued by a book on electrocardiograms which inspired him to design a heart monitor by dampening the signal of someone holding two metal bars connected through an oscilloscope. His interest in medicine was piqued and he was excited to open the next chapter of his life as he moved to Minneapolis with his new bride, Roscella, to begin his medical school studies at the University of Minnesota in 1967. He attained both his MD and PhD from the University in the ensuing years and joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota where he eventually became full professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. He was a founding member of the American Medical Informatics Association and has educated scores of individuals in his field to their own doctorate degrees. Don and his wife brought three children into this world and enjoyed quizzing them on STEM material at early ages as well as taking them for hikes on various trails throughout the Twin Cities Metro area as well as through national and regional parks throughout this beautiful country. Family was always of extreme importance in his life and he spent much of his time supporting his children and, later grandchildren, at their music and sporting events over the years. Being a lifelong learner, Don continued to enjoy the development of his field in medical informatics and his retirement was a gradual process over several years. A devout Roman Catholic, he spent much of his time volunteering to support projects at St Charles Borromeo Church and was part of the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus. He used his increased time outside of the University to enjoy more time with grandchildren and to travel abroad with Roscella to various religious locations throughout Europe, or to the polar opposite side of the world to Aotearoa-New Zealand where 3 of his grandchildren currently live. At the time of his passing, the love shared with his wife had led to 3 children, 13 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, with another on the way. His family will remember him for his energy and wit; his funny songs and sayings that always kept a smile on your face and an enjoyment for life. His desire to learn was undying, he would set out to get his 10,000 steps everyday, and he wouldn't hesitate to research obscure material that might benefit his family. His love and goodness, will be a legacy that lives on. Preceded by parents, Edward and Clementine Connelly and brother Gerald Connelly. Survived by wife Roscella Connelly; children, Julie (Bob) Zajac, Michael (Lisa) Connelly and Steven (Erin) Connelly; grandchildren, Alex (Berkeley) Zajac, Michael Zajac, Jonathan (Emily) Zajac, Melissa Zajac, Christopher Zajac, Laura Zajac, Abigail Connelly, Aryel Connelly, Caitlyn Connelly, Lucas Connelly, Thomas Zajac, Matthew Connelly and Bethany Zajac; great-grandchild Lilly Zajac; sister Helen Wolf. In lieu of flowers Don and his family would encourage donations to ProLife Across America.

Tributes

Donald Patrick Connelly

October 8, 1942 - September 20, 2023

Tributes

Donald Patrick Connelly

October 8, 1942 - September 20, 2023

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