John J. Connelly, of Rosemont, PA., passed away on Friday February 1, 2008 at the Bryn Mawr Terrace. He was 93.

Mr. Connelly was born in Bryn Mawr and began to help operate the family flower business as an adolescent. He married the former Kathryn Matthias in 1938. After the death of his uncle in 1943, he shut down the flower business to enter the army.

During the war, Mr. Connelly served as a cannoneer with the 359th Infantry Regiment of the 90th Division, and saw combat in Normandy, northern France, the Ardennes and the Rhineland. He was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge on January 20, 1945 and was Honorably Discharged from the army in December of that year.

After the war, Mr. Connelly re-opened the family business and became a prominent Main Line florist, providing "blooming flowers and plants for all occasions" for 34 years until retiring in 1980.

Mr. Connelly actively participated in fund raising campaigns for the parish of St. Thomas of Villanova, and was an early and dedicated member of the parents association at Devon Preparatory School.

Mr. Connelly enjoyed travel, music, singing and flying small airplanes. He enjoyed attending army reunions and surfing his telephone network for the latest community news. He could talk for hours about the various histories of Main Line families.

He is survived by his children: John M., Denis E. (Barbara), Mary Ann Day (Joseph), Kathryn L. and James A., as well as 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Joseph A. Connelly and numerous neices, nephews and their families. His wife Kathryn died in December of 2000.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday February 5, 10:00 AM at St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel, Lancaster Ave., Rosemont, PA. Relatives and friends may call at the Chapel after 9:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105.