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Wofford College

James Connelly Obituary

CONNELLY, James James Bruce Connelly of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, died surrounded by his family in his home March 27, 2007. Mr. Connelly was born August 17, 1940 in Mullins, South Carolina, to Mr. Carroll Eugene Connelly and Ms. Miriam Grace Walker. He married Ms. Dorothy Louise Ammons Connelly in 1959. They met when they were sixteen and became best friends, soul mates and life partners for the past forty seven years. He is survived by his wife, Ms. Dorothy Connelly; four children: Jay Lynn Connelly, Donna Raye (Dennis) Cash, Brian (Amy) Connelly, James B (Yoshiko) Connelly Jr.; ten grandchildren: Dorothy Louise Connelly Thorne, Caroline Bailey Raye Thorne, Katherine Grace Hunter Thorne, Savannah Grace Connelly Cash, Harper Miriam Cash, Hayley Amira Cash, Jamie Carroll Connelly, Jordan Beth Connelly, Brian Alexander Connelly, and Jimmy Jaylyn Aiko Connelly; his step mother, Sara F. Connelly; sister Mary Genevieve Star; and one brother, Carroll Eugene Connelly Jr.. He was predeceased by his sister, Carolyn Jean Connelly. Mr. and Mrs. Connelly began building his healthcare legacy soon after his graduation from Wofford College, Spartanbrug, SC in 1962 with a degree in Economics. They began with a 16 bed rest home in Bennettsville, SC and grew it into Dundee Nursing Home, which now has a 110 bed capacity and plans for continued expansion. It was at Dundee that Mr. Connelly began his career as an Administrator. The Connelly's passion for their work was evident as they worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life of those who were placed in care. Their next endeavor was to build their own 88 bed facility, Conway Nursing Home in Conway, SC, 1969, which has since developed into a 190 bed facility. The following year, Mr. Connelly partnered with Wade Jones to purchase Bayview Nursing Center in Beaufort, SC, which grew from an 88 bed facility to a current capacity of almost 200 beds. Mr. Connelly was a pioneer in the nursing home industry and in 1970 he, and Mrs. Connelly, became two of the first licensed Nursing Home Administrators in South Carolina. He maintained his licensure in good standing until his retirement from the industry in 2005. That same year, 1970, he also served as President of the South Carolina Healthcare Association and served on the board for twenty years as well as returning to the role of President in 1980 and 1981. He served as president of Young Democratic, as well as his work with the children at the Shrine Hospital. The Connellys continued to expand the locations they served as they built the 132 bed Charleston Nursing Center in Mt. Pleasant in 1976 and purchased nursing centers in Greenville, SC. In 1984 Connelly Management, Inc., located in Mt. Pleasant, SC, was created to manage their properties as the Connellys looked for new ways to expand while meeting the needs of the elderly and infirmed. The Connellys became pioneers in the field of Assisted Living in 1984 as they built Cooper Hall in Mt. Pleasant SC, a congregate care retirement community of 178 independent living apartments adjacent to Charleston Nursing Center. This was followed in 1996 with the acquisition of Pendleton Manor in Greenville, SC and the building of Savannah Grace on the Cooper Hall campus to add 88 skilled nursing beds to the complex. More recently, they built Savannah Grace Assisted Living and Rehab in 2000. Among their other healthcare accomplishments are the creation of Healthquest Pharmacy, Abacare Home Medical, and Hospice Care of Choice, which has evolved into Carolina Hospice Care, a hospice serving the communities of eight counties in the Charleston and Beaufort areas. His business interests outside of the healthcare arena include a catering company and three mini-warehouse facilities to list a few. Mr. Connelly's hobbies included golf, tennis and travel. His friends and family will remember his compassion, generosity, foresight and humor. Mr. Connelly will be deeply missed. Funeral services will be held cryptside at 3:00PM, Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in his memory to the Shriner's Hospital for Children Attn: Administrator, 950 W. Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605 864-271-3444. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements made through MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Mar. 30 to Mar. 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for James Connelly

22 Entries

Janice Clune

April 22, 2007

Mrs. Connelly and family,
We are so sorry of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Barbara and Kimber always talked so highly of the Connellys. You are like family to them. Our deepest sympathy is with all of you.

Pete and Janice Clune
(Sister and Brother-in-law 0f Barbara and Kimber Atkinson)

Karen Marchand-Singleton, RN

April 2, 2007

Jay,
Although I never met your father, I know what kind of man he must have been to have raised a fiery, spirited daughterlike you. The stories you shared of your mother and your father are a testament to the love they instilled in you for your family and for others.
I have had the pleasure of working for you and know that his spirit lives on in the work that you do. I well know the pain of loss and the grieving that goes along with it. I remember your kindness after the loss of my son. Your mother and the rest of your family have my deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort as you go on without him.
The work you do, in hospice and home care, are a testament to the legacy of James and Dorothy Connelly.

God Bless,

Pat Adams-Snyder

April 1, 2007

Mrs. Connelly,
I was so sorry to hear about Mr. C.
I did so enjoy getting to see you both each summer that I was with Mildres Adams( my sister-in-law). He was such a dear person. I remember the fun I had at your home for Pattie's retirement party.
My sincere sympathy.

Mary Lancaster Bunce

April 1, 2007

Dear Dorothy and Jay,

I remember fondly the early years of friendly competition of Cooper Hall and Sandpiper Village. The quality of health care Mr. Connelly and you required and maintained set standards for all of us in the industry. I am saddened to learn of your loss. May the memories you share sustain you through this period of grief. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

In sympathy,

Anne M. Swett

April 1, 2007

Mrs. Connelly and Family,
I deeply regret hearing of your loss.Mr. Connelly will be greatly missed by so many.It was an honor to have know and worked for him for so many years.

Doris Jennings

March 31, 2007

Dear Jay, I am so very sorry to hear of the death of your father. I always had a lot of reapect for Mr. Connelly and enjoyed my years at Cooper Hall with him and you. I think of you often Jay, and want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you especially at this time. Love, Doris Jennings

Barbara Atkinson

March 31, 2007

Dear Dorothy and family.
Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. The world is a much better place because of Jimmy and you. I could never begin to express the gratitude I have for making me a part of your life. I have learned so much from you and I will always cherish our friendship and memories. I am a better person because of you and Jimmy--thank you for that. Jimmy will never be forgotten---he will always live on in the many people he helped along the way of life. His
presence will be felt forever.
Let me know if you need anything at all.
I will be in touch.

Chris Polydorou

March 31, 2007

To The Connelly Family,
With deepest regards and sympathies from my heart go out to you all. In the short time I knew Mr.Connelly, I felt his passion for people and a heart as big as the world. He opened his heart many times to those in need. His love and compassion will leave his legacy intact. May his memory be eternal to all.

Liston Hinson

March 31, 2007

Dear Dorothy and family,
I was sorry to hear of Jimmy's death. Although I have not seen him for many years, we grew up as children in Nichols. I have many fond memories of those times. My heart goes out to you and the family.

Sharon Whaley

March 30, 2007

Dear Mrs. Connelly and Family,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and that I am sincerely sorry for your loss. Mr. Connelly will be greatly missed. He had a powerful impact on many lives. Please also know that I am sincerely appreciative of everything you have ever done for me. Mrs. Connelly, you are a very strong woman and you WILL persevere. If there is anything I can do for you, I am only a phone call away. With great appreciation and deepest sympathy.....Sharon Whaley

Eric H. @ Dell

March 30, 2007

Brian, you and your family are in our prayers.

Tracy Pulling

March 30, 2007

Ms Connelly
You may not remember me, but I worked for you breifly when you Owned the restaurant Baileys.You were always very caring and understanding. Just now Mr Connelly is at peace and in gods hand and he will be watching over tou

Kimber Atkinson

March 30, 2007

Mrs. C,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr.Connelly was always so supportive of me and Barbara these
years we've worked for you two. I
am still kind of in shock. I will
miss Mr.C. He was the best boss I've ever had. If there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask.

AB Jordan

March 30, 2007

Dear Dorothy: Carleene and I were so sorry to hear about Jim. I always considered him a friend through the years. Please know our Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time....AB and Carleene Jordan, Dillon, S.C.

Amelia "Amy" Hinson

March 30, 2007

Dorothy:

My thought and prayers are with you. I wish I could be there to speak to you in person, but my oldest son's birthday is tomorrow and I cannot not be here for him. I will be thinking about you and your family. Please know that if there is anything I can do - big or small - I would be happy to.

Sincerely,
Amelia Pettiss Hinson ( Dan's friend)

Georgia Smith

March 30, 2007

Mr Connelly will be missed greatly. I will be grateful to him for everything he has done for our community. He was an inspiration to all. He once said to me "If you do what is right, the rest will take care of itself."

Carol Quimby

March 30, 2007

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mr. Connelly provided many opportunites for so many. He was a compassionate and giving person. He will be sadly missed. It was an honor to have known and worked for him.

Helena McKay-Vivona

March 30, 2007

My dear Dorothy and children: I am too saddened to learn of Jim's death. You are in my prayers and I extend to you my sincerest sympathy during this difficult time. Bob and I surely enjoyed getting to know you and work for and with you over the years to create beautiful homes and business endeavors. You are a beautiful and loving family and know that our Dear Lord will hold you in His loving arms through this tremendous loss. I have re-married 3 years ago and spend most of my time traveling with a large carnival/amusement industry. We do play the Fair at Ladson and are in Charleston on and off during the year. I will call you when I next come home and hope to see you then. My love, Helena McKay-Vivona

Viola Stokes

March 30, 2007

To the Connelly family, I send my condolences and prayer that you will be comforted with the memory of Mr. Connelly's life and the word of God
Viola S.Stokes
[email protected]

Susan Proctor, RN BSN

March 30, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the Connelly family. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Bayview and Hospice family. Mr. Connelly's vision for improved healthcare for South Carolinians will live on with his legacy and the many healthcare professionals he inspired.

Esther Tirado

March 30, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you. The Connelly family has been very special to me and I will never forget the kindness and caring that has always been given to me.

Kim & Roger Lovin

March 30, 2007

Be Still

Be still like the grass on a melancholy summer day
Be still like desert shrub.

Be calm and you will hear your loved one speak, in the stillness, in the calm, their love resounds.

If you are still this promise I make, you will hear the voice of your loved one helping you along your way.

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