Thomas Joseph Connolly

Thomas Joseph Connolly (July 18, 1922 – April 24, 2015) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Baker in Oregon from 1971 to 1999.

Biography

Early life Connolly was born on July 18, 1922, in Tonopah, Nevada, to John and Katherine (née Hammel) Connolly. He completed his studies for the priesthood in California, first at St. Joseph Preparatory Seminary in Mountain View and then at St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park.

Priesthood Connolly was ordained a priest at St. Patrick's Church in Tonopah for the Diocese of Reno by Bishop Thomas Gorman on April 8, 1947. His first assignments were as a curate at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral Parish and at St. Therese of the Little Flower Parish, both in Reno, Nevada. He also taught at Bishop Manogue High School in Reno and serving as chaplain to the local Serra Club.

Connolly served as private secretary to Gorman from 1948 until 1949, when he was sent to study canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Retirement and legacy Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Connolly submitted his letter of resignation to Pope John Paul II in July 1997. His resignation was accepted on November 19, 1999, and Reverend Robert F. Vasa of the Diocese of Lincoln was named as his successor. Thomas Connolly died in Beaverton, Oregon, in April 2015, at age 92.