James Connolly Obituary

James Frederick Connolly, MD KIAWAH Island - James Frederick Connolly, MD, husband of the late Betsy Buchanan Connolly, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 7, 2021 at home and surrounded by his children. A private Graveside Service will be held in Magnolia Cemetery November 2021. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. Jim was born on February 9, 1930 in Toronto, Canada, son of the late Harold James Connolly and Elizabeth Ann Rivers Connolly. He graduated from Upper Canada College, Carlton University, and the University of Ottawa Medical School with residencies in Gynecology at Ottawa General Hospital and Surgery at Boston City Hospital. He also served as Senior Teaching Fellow in Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. With a passion for rural health, Jim moved his family in 1968 to Kingstree, South Carolina, where he practiced General Surgery at Williamsburg Memorial Hospital for the majority of his career, as well as helped establish other medical clinics in the area. It was his privilege to serve on the State Development Board for Williamsburg County, bringing industry and jobs to the community he cherished so much, and he also served on the earliest Board for Williamsburg Academy, where his four children attended school. Even after retiring from surgery in 1982, Jim remained a man who loved adventure and a challenge, exploring industrial and entrepreneurial interests until he moved to Kiawah Island, SC, with his wife in 1989. There, he continued his medical career in occupational medicine, serving in a number of roles before his official retirement in January 2021. But even as he worked diligently, Jim was also a man who treasured travel and time spent with his family, especially at the farm and on the beach. In their 49 years together, he and his bride traveled to multiple continents and crisscrossed the country several times over. Together, "Bubba and Ghee Ghee" were doting grandparents to their 11 grandchildren. In his later years, he valued dear friendships made in the Kiawah Island community, great games of bridge, and memorable worldwide cruises. Jim was a dedicated physician, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was adored by his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed. Jim is survived by three daughters: Kaycee Connolly Poston (John) of Charleston, SC; Kelly Connolly McGhee (Johnny) of Charleston, WV; Kari Connolly Cribb (Bryan) of Charleston, SC; one son, James Frederick "Duffy" Connolly, Jr., (Leigh Davidson) of Charleston, SC; eleven grandchildren: Elizabeth Poston "Elly" Cooper (Josh), James Howard "Jay" Poston, James Frederick "Tripp" Connolly III, Keaton Leigh Connolly, Charles Davidson "Chet" Connolly, John Robert "Rob" McGhee III (Jordyn Howell), Perry Louisa McGhee, Virginia Elizabeth McGhee, Betsy Buchanan Cribb, Helen Hunt Cribb and Anne Rivers "Annie" Cribb; and one great-grandchild, John Henry Irving Cooper. The family would also like to express deepest gratitude to Mary Lee Renken, Richard Ruby, and Lynn Dearing for their incredible love and care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamsburg Academy, 1000 Sandy Bay Road, Kingstree, SC 29556; Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic, 3226 Maybank Highway, Building C, Johns Island, SC 29455; and Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, Charleston, SC 29401. A memorial message may sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston