John Arthur Connolly, Sr.

John A. Connolly, Sr. of Cass City passed away Monday April 22, 2024 at the age of 82 at Fisher Senior Care and Rehab in Mayville. He was born March 14, 1942 in Wayne Michigan. John was united in marriage with Deborah Raymond on December 30, 2023. He loved spending time with family and friends. John was an avid gun collector, he loved setting up at gun shows and flea markets and talking to whomever came along. He was an active member of the Cass City Gun Club. He enjoyed playing cards, shooting trap and skeet, and getting youth involved in shooting sports. John loved sports, he really loved his years spent coaching softball, he is still lovingly known to this day as “Mr. C” by his former players. He loved watching the little league world series, football, and sleeping to PGA Golf. John owned and operated J & C Service of Cass City where he devotedly fixed the community’s vehicles for forty-three years. Although he devoted over forty-five years to auto repair, he loved logging. He began working in the woods for family at an early age and it was always in his blood.

John is survived by his loving wife, Deborah Raymond Connolly; children, Christina (Duane) Winch of Coldwater, John Connolly, Jr. of Lansing, Tammy (Don) Murlick of Vassar, Kathy (Randy) Clifton of Ida, Krista (Ryan) Groholske of Tekonsha, Mac (Mary) Connolly of Ubly; grandchildren, Mason Carosella, Reece (Sydney) Sprague, Evan Carosella (fiancé Alysssa O’Brien), Alli-Lynn Connolly, Barric Groholske, Jessica Brinkman; siblings, Nancy Churchill, Ann McFann; in-laws, Dave (Sandy) Raymond, Kim Raymond, Greg Raymond, Angel Nicol, and Morrie (Shirley) Molnar. John was preceded in death by his mother, Della Pfaff; two brothers, Joseph Pfaff and James Connolly; three sisters-in-law, Violet Connolly, Rose Raymond, Nancy Raymond; brother-in-law, Glen “Sonny” Churchill; brother and sister-in-law, Cheryl and Charlie Nicol; and mother-in-law, Ardith Molnar.

In keeping with John’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life and memorial (fun) shoot will be held at the Cass City Gun Club on May 18, 2024. Memories starting at 12:00 p.m. followed by a shotgun salute. Following the service, there will be a barbecue and memorial (fun) trap and skeet shoot.

The family would like to invite everyone interested to participate in the shotgun salute and requests that anyone interested in the salute or the trap and skeet to bring your shotgun.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorials be made to the Cass City Gun Club, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723.