Holliston-

James Connolly, 69, a longtime resident of Holliston, died Monday, August 29th, 2016 at Framingham Union Hospital with family by his side. He fought a long brave battle with MDS and Leukemia. James was born in Romford, England to the late Betty Margaret, nee Holby and Edmund J. Connolly. He held residence after college in England, Italy, and Illinois before settling in Holliston, MA. Jim leaves his devoted loving wife Patricia (nee Both), and their daughter Michaela,(nee Connolly), and her husband Michael Whitty. He also leaves sister-in-law Kathleen and brother-in-law Frederick Vergen, nephews; Jeffrey (Jennifer) Vergen, Brian Both, niece Christine (John) DeMilio, Grand Niece Grace DeMilio; and many beloved cousins in England and abroad.

Jim graduated from South East London Technical College as a Chartered Engineer awarded by The Council of Engineering Institutions in London, England. He worked for GTE and Cybertrust Solutions for 25 years as a successful software engineer manager and architect, retiring from Baltimore Technologies. Jim spent his free time sailing at Community Boating in Boston, Bowling, playing and coaching men’s league softball, and playing cards.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 2nd from 4-7p.m. at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 3rd at 9:00a.m. at St. Mary’s Church of Holliston. Burial will take place at a later date with family in Chicago, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Framingham Union Aid/Metrowest Cancer Center, 99 Lincoln St. Framingham, MA 01702 or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, dana-farber.org.