Ian Connolly Obituary

Hampton - Ian Frederick Wolfgang Connolly, 40, of Windy Hill Rd., died Saturday, August 6, 2022, in Hartford Hospital. Ian went into the hospital on April 19, 2022, with strangulated intestines from a hernia, and after 8 surgeries he returned home on June 7, 2022. Ian was recovering well before his unexpected passing. Ian was born in Beverly, MA. He is the son of Frederick T. Connolly and Madeleine A. Desroches of Pomfret, CT. Ian, nicknamed "EZE", graduated from Putnam High School where he was a member of the Putnam Clippers football team. He attended the University of Connecticut at Avery Point for a year to study marine sciences, then left to join the workforce and buy his first house at age 20. Ian was a dedicated Telecommunicator (Dispatcher) for the East Hartford Police and Fire Department for 18 years where he answered 911 calls. Although he worked full time, he also built playscapes for Cedar Works of Maine, and was a court process server. Ian was easy to be around and made connections with all types of people. He was highly dedicated to his family, friends, and job; and was generous with his time and efforts. Ian was innovative and had a talent for finding solutions to problems, he was tough and would rarely complain, he was fun-loving and always eager to initiate a good time. He loved the backwoods life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, scuba diving, backpacking, skiing, cooking, traveling, playing cards, betting horse races, pulling pranks, and had recently taken up playing the harmonica. His favorite things to watch as a child were He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. As an adult his favorite "Christmas movie" was Die Hard, and he frequently watched Hot Tub Time Machine, The Sopranos, and Breaking Bad. He listened to outlaw country music, and his favorite team for his entire life was the Dallas Cowboys. Ian is survived by his parents; a sister, Harmonie (Sweet) Jewett of Franklin, VT; a brother Devon Connolly of Roanoke, VA; and his maternal grandmother, Anne Desroches. He also leaves behind many uncles, aunts, and cousins, friends, and a "work-family" at the East Hartford Police and Fire Department. Ian made this world a better place, and he will be genuinely missed! Those who wish to honor Ian, are welcome to attend A Celebration of Ian's Life on Sunday, August 21, 2022, from 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. at the Inn at Woodstock Hill, 94 Plaine Hill Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281. Memorial donations may be made to the Ian Connolly Community Fund c/o East Hartford Police Chief, 31 School St., East Hartford, CT 06108. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.