Thomas Connolly, 72, formerly of Sioux Falls, passed away May 3, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV. Tom had a wonderful smile and made friends easily.
Born January 13, 1951, in Sioux Falls to Ruth Flanagan Connolly and Emmett Connolly. Tom attended St. Joseph Cathedral, then graduated from O’Gorman High in 1969. He was proud to be called a “North ender”.
Tom worked many jobs during his life from being a paper boy with the Argus-Leader to his retirement as a delivery driver for FedEx. Some of those jobs included John Morrell, Southwest Airlines and Thomas Mangelson Gallery in Las Vegas. Along with his jobs came many opportunities to transfer to different locations for new adventures and to embrace his love of travel. Tom was also proud to have served in the U.S. Navy.
No matter where Tom lived it was never far from nature, where he would get out and indulge his passion for photography and captured it with amazing photographs. He also loved to ski and lived in Summit County Colorado for several years. When not working, Tom enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends. Upon his retirement, he fulfilled his dream to travel with an RV around the country, until his advanced Parkinson’s Disease made it challenging for him to travel any longer.
Tom always lived near to family or longtime friends, and always remembered the special days in their lives with a phone call, no matter where he was at the time.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, Emmett and Ruth Connolly and his nephew Adam Connolly. He is survived by his siblings: three sisters Sr. Patricia Connolly D.C. , Sandy (Carl) Riis, Janie (Greg) Jude. His six brothers Greg (Peggy), Mark, Joe (Pam), Dave (Suzanne), Tony (Marilyn) and Jon; along with many nieces, nephews, and relatives. Our family wish to extend our deepest appreciation to Tom’s special friends, Robert Megel, Tyler and Sylvia Hyde for their constant support of Tom through his fight with Parkinson’s Disease.
In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to O’Gorman High School or the Michael J. Fox Parkinson Foundation.
There will be a private memorial service for Tom at a family reunion this summer.