RAPID CITY- Joseph (Joe) M. Connelly passed away Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at Prairie Estates Nursing Home in Elk Point ,South Dakota. Joe was born May 20th 1918 in Quinn, SD, son of Martin and Emma(Weinkoetz) Connelly. He attended high school at St. Martin Academy, but graduated from Belvidere, SD High School in 1936. He participated in school plays, basketball and baseball. Joe graduated from St. John's University, Collegeville, MN in 1940. Besides academics, Joes was active in sports and still has an unbroken record for the 50 yard dash At St John's University. Joe started his work career as a teacher at St. Gregory's College, in Shawnee, OK. During World War, Joe was inducted into the Signal Corp in 1945 and served under General MacArthur. His first assignment from Camp Crowder, Mo., was a tour in the Pacific: New Guinea and the Philippines. While in the Philippines he had the honor of golfing with Bob Hope. He was honorably discharged in 1948 as a Sergeant First Class and received a Good Conduct Medal and The Philippine Liberation Ribbon. Joe married Daisy Chaney on May 3rd, 1944 while Joe was in boot camp at Camp Crowder. After WWII, Joe and Daisy returned to SD and Joe worked for State Auditor, in Pierre, SD. Later, Joe and Daisy moved to Rapid City, SD and Joe established his own accounting firm, later known as J.M. Connelly and Associates. Joe also was one of the original developers and partners in the Meadowood Lanes Bowling Alley in Rapid City. Joe was an active local community member; an active member of St. John's University alumni; a board member of St. Martins Academy and Sky Ranch for Boys; Elks member; served on the finance committee for the Rapid City Diocese; accountant for the Rapid City Diocese and assisted in fund raising for the Cathedral High School. Joe achieved the 4th Degree with the Knights of Columbus. Joe's hobbies included golfing, singing in the church choir and entertaining his family with his wonderful sense of humor and love of life. Joe's golf career included many tournament wins throughout the state as well as three very notable "hole-in-ones". He joined the church choir with his beautiful tenor voice and maintained his position for several years at Rapid City Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Churches. Joe was blessed with love again after his first wife, Daisy, passed away in 1997. Joe met up with his Belvidere classmate, Harriet (Kandy) Barr Marsh in 1998. The two of them were happily joined together in matrimony until Harriet's death in 2006. Survivors include six children: Mary and Joe Gilbert, Iowa Colony, TX; Dennis and Tillie Connelly, Van, TX; Pat and Ellie Connelly, Sun City, AZ; Paula and Frank Tischler, Elk Point; Mark and Bonnie Connelly, Van, TX; and Kevin and Elva Connelly, Elk Point; one sister, Rose Duguid, New Jersey, 16 Grandchildren, and 26 Great Grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, Emma and Martin Connelly, a sister Lilly Schroeder, wife Daisy Connelly and wife Harriet Connelly and infant daughter Mary Teresa. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church. A Christian Wake Service is to follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Rapid City, South Dakota with Fr. Michel Mulloy presiding. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for St Thomas Moore Music Department: St. Thomas Moore, c/o Wayne Sullivan, Joe Connelly Music Dept. Memorial Fund, 300 Fairmont Blvd., Rapid City, SD, 57701.