Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love
Please refer to obituaries for information on visitations, funeral services and requests by the family or deceased for honoring their memory.
Richard William Connolly joined this world on January 16, 1938. He was welcomed by loving parents, Thomas and Anne Connolly along with siblings, Thomas, Mary Louise, Muriel, Peggy, Rose, Kathleen and Julie. His younger sister, Patsy joined the family after him, but died at age 2 leaving him to be the youngest child to a group of devoted sisters who doted on him, and some may say, spoiled him. January 09, 2026 My dearest Anita, Tammy and I would like to offer our sincere condolences for your loss of your loving husband and soul mate Rich Tammy would have loved the chance to meet him! She would have loved his knack of conversation and his wonderful humor he had about him! We will all miss him! All our love, Keith and Tammy Hampton January 09, 2026 First off my condolences to my sister Anita and their children Colleen and Curt! God Bless you and my prayers are with you! My memories of Rich were always of talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers players or talking or doing some of Hudson and Landry comedy routines! He made me laugh! Loved this man! He was kind and a loving man! Anita was definitely his soul mate! He will be missed! Rest in peace Rich! ❤️🙏✝️ January 05, 2026 He could always make me laugh especially when he did he's Dracula character. He was the sweetest guy I've known. We will miss you Rich. Rest in peace. Love Janice January 03, 2026 It was a honor to grow up close to this family. No matter how wild I was as a child Mr. Connolly was always nice to me. I will always treasure that. May God bless his family at this time. For I know he already has the jukebox playing in heaven! My love to Mrs Connolly, Colleen, and Curt. January 02, 2026 Nancy and I only just met your Mom and Dad on this past Thanksgiving Day when you and Michael graciously invited us to share the holiday with your Family. Before sitting down at the table, everyone was chatting and laughing all the while the volume was getting louder. Nancy, who was pulling out her chair in the middle of the table asked Rich if he would like to sit in the middle of the table, rather than at the end, so he could hear everyone better. Without a beat, and with an obvious sense of humor, Rich responded, "No thank you, I'm not loud, but you are!" We did chuckle! January 02, 2026 Our heartfelt sympathy in this time of sorrow. "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we loved dearly becomes a part of us." Helen Keller 1880-1968 January 02, 2026 Anita, I was heart broken to hear of Rich's passing. Although I only knew him briefly, when I would run into him in the hallway he always had a smile on his face and greeted me with a hearty hello calling me by my name. His obituary is beautiful and I got a true sense of what a kind gentleman Rich was. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the beautiful memories of your time together help you through this difficult time. Sally. Apt. #419 January 02, 2026 Rich was always a kind and gentle soul. I will always remember when he would visit Beaver Dam and come to my house and we would sit on the porch and talk. I will miss him dearly! My deepest sympathy to my sister Anita and her wonderful family. Much love to all! Rest in peace Rich! January 02, 2026 Rich was a warm and gentle spirit. It has been so long now but I will always remember the good times and conversations we had. I also know that he and my sister had an amazing dedication to each other. We could all learn from that. Rest in eternal peace my brother. Love Kevin (family member #9) and Patty Hampton Contact Us to have your link and message added here. Please fill out the form below. We will contact suitable submissions with further details.Richard William Connolly
January 16, 1938 - January 01, 2026
/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/945/515882/b9vQBrAgOCsl0AmhConnollyRichard.jpg)
Obituary For Richard William Connolly
He grew up in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh with a group of rowdy, hard partying friends. He distinguished himself as a well-dressed, smooth-talking young man who used his wardrobe and genial demeanor to regularly crash weddings for a free meal and an open bar. Never one to appreciate school, it was his people skills that launched his career in sales. This career afforded a good life for his much-loved wife, Anita and children Colleen (Michael) Chester and Curt (Ann Gorman) but was a career he that he warned his children against. He was well known for his easy sense of humor and gentle kindness. He was also a generous man, always an excellent tipper. And generous of spirit. When meeting someone he always remembered and used their name, making anyone and everyone feel like an old friend within minutes.
For all his outward charm and life of the party demeanor he long endured debilitating bouts of depression. Late in his life he did receive proper help, but it was an issue that he struggled with until the end. Through all the good times and the bad he was consistently and loving supported by his one true love and wife of 62 years Anita. They raised 2 children and enjoyed spending time thrifting and lunching with their grandchildren, Annie, Emma, Sara Chester and Gavin Connolly.
Richard lived a long full life falling just weeks short of his 88th birthday. Over the years countless people have shared that they remembered and appreciated his warmth and kindness. People were always naturally drawn to him. He will be remembered by those that knew him best for his good humor, generosity, aversion to strenuous physical activity, great driving, love of jazz music and Anita will especially miss the dancing.
Here is to a life well lived and a man who will be well remembered and missed by many.
Please join us on January 12, 2026, at the Whitehall House, 4201 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15227 at 11:00 a.m. to remember and celebrate Rich’s life. Lunch will be provided if you wish to join us. Please contact Michael at 412-897-9215. We respectfully ask for NO FLOWERS. In lieu of flowers please donate to your preferred charity. Arrangements handled by the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227.Photos & Video
Add New Photos & Video
Condolences
Useful Links
Add Your Useful Link