John J. Connolly

In Loving Memory of John Connolly

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John Connolly, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who passed away peacefully at the age of 78, on May 26, 2025, surrounded by family.

John was born June 17, 1946, and raised in the picturesque village of Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, Ireland, where his love for sport, music, and community first took root. The proud son of Curly and Eileen Connolly, John grew up in a home filled with love, laughter, sport and the unmistakable rhythm of Irish tradition. He followed in his father’s footsteps to become a standout athlete, excelling in both hurling and Gaelic football with Ahane GAA. One of his proudest moments came when he won a county hurling medal alongside his father Curly—a rare and treasured achievement that remains unique to this day.

At just 19, John emigrated to Ohio, where a new chapter of his remarkable journey began. It was there he met the love of his life, Beverly, and together they built a beautiful life. They were blessed with five daughters—Ann, Laura, Jackie, Breda, and Kathleen—each carrying forward John’s spirit and strength in their own unique way.

John was a talented musician, and music became one of the great loves of his life. He traveled widely with his bands and had the honor of gracing stages at the highest level, including in Nashville, the heart of country music. One of his greatest joys was discovering and nurturing the musical talent of his daughter Kathleen, with whom he shared the stage many times. Their performances together were deeply moving; a father and daughter in perfect harmony, bound by love and music.

Back in Ohio, John’s pubs in Toledo became legendary for their warmth, laughter, and traditional Irish flair. These establishments weren’t just watering holes; they were community hubs, where the music never stopped and the stories were always flowing as well as the pints. The craic and camaraderie were so memorable that tales of his pubs stretched all the way back to Ireland.

He and Bev were also passionate travelers, often returning to Castleconnell with busloads of visitors, sharing their deep love for the Emerald Isle. During these adventures, Beverly’s love of photography flourished. She captured countless stunning images over the years—but the ones she cherished most were of her family and John. A walk through their home is a journey through a life well lived: walls lovingly adorned with photographs of children, grandchildren, partners, and special moments. Every frame tells a story, each one a testament to a life centered around love and connection.

John’s radio show which aired every Sunday morning, became a beloved tradition for listeners across the state. This show gave the listeners their fill of all things Ireland once a week from a local radio station broadcasting right in the heart of downtown Toledo. “Echos of Ireland: A Musical Tour of the 32 Counties in Ireland” aired for two hours on AM 1230 every Sunday morning from the WCWA building off Superior Street.

For 28 years, John Connolly co-ran the show with longtime friend Ted McHugh. Both men were born and raised in Ireland — Counties Limerick and Galway respectively— giving them a wealth of knowledge about Irish culture to share with local and international listeners.

Sadly, in 2017 McHugh passed away, and the torch was passed along to his daughter, Molly. It was not the easiest of transitions, and John admitted that when he came back to the show after Ted McHugh’s passing, he wasn’t entirely sure what to talk about. Molly McHugh would call in often during that time, offering good conversation and her own knowledge of Ireland from when she attended college at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Eventually, she warmed up to the idea of being on air and joined the show as a full-time co-host.

Though the name of the former show might fool some readers, showcasing Irish music was not the only thing “Echoes of Ireland” presented. Any topic was up for debate and speculation, including Irish history, growing up in Ireland, geography, culture, sports, comical stories and anything currently trending across the pond.

Besides featuring special guests on occasion, ranging from Irish music groups to interviews about a new beer, the hosts explained that they had their own Irish “correspondents.” John had many guests call in to the show, and keep everyone up to date, especially from his home town in Ireland. “No show was ever the same, and one of the unique parts was that we never really had a script,” said Molly McHugh.

His rich storytelling, the traditional tunes he curated, and the special guests he brought on—especially his nephew Mark Connolly, who kept listeners up to date with Irish sport and news during tough times like the Covid lockdowns—made it a treasured connection to home for many.

This lack of a script is nothing new, stemming from the very start. “When the show started, Ted would come in and say, ‘Anything you want to talk about?’ John would say ‘no’, and look at him and say, “Do you?” He would say ‘no’. Then we would say, “Let’s just wing it,” John fondly remembered. They bounced their ideas off one another, always knowing what the other would say.

The pair became friends back in the late 70’s when they met through mutual friends at Biddy Mulligan’s, the first bar John Connolly opened. Back then on Sundays, Connolly would listen to the German hour radio show, and it gave him an idea. “The Germans have a show. The Polish have a show. Why don’t the Irish?” said Connolly.

John’s bond with his brothers Pat, Billy, and Flannan was legendary. Wherever the four gathered, there was guaranteed laughter, stories, and no small amount of mischief. Mischief is a mild and polite word for what went on. They often left a trail of destruction behind but the stories and laughing that followed those nights will always be remembered.

He was a devoted grandfather, and his love for his grandchildren was clear to all. Mikey, his sporting hero, and Amber, his best pal and the apple of his eye, held a special place in his heart. John was proud of all his grandchildren, especially those two cuties, Eve and Isla. It was his dream to bring ye all to Ireland and he fulfilled that dream when he did that in 2022. The joy in his face every night sitting in Castle Connell telling stories and singing songs with his grandkids and family. When out for a meal one evening John left the adult table and sat with all the kids. He loved their innocent stories, their jokes and most of all they loved his jokes. John enjoyed seeing them all laughing.

John Connolly lived a life filled with passion, pride, and purpose. From the hurling fields of Ahane to the bright lights of Nashville, from the pubs of Toledo to the quiet banks of the Shannon River, he left a trail of music, laughter, and love. His legacy lives on in every song, every story, every photo, and every heart he touched.

John was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 53 years, Beverly June (Braun) Connolly, on March 3, 2021. He is lovingly survived by daughters, Ann Connolly (Jason Doty), Laura Cranston (Cliff), Beverly “Jackie” Kiss (Mike), Breda Osburn (Michael), Kathleen Connolly (Marion Leininger); grandchildren, T.J. Dietz (Ashlee), Amber Kiss (Andy Thome), Dakota Dietz, Haley Dollarhide (James), Mikey Kiss, Eve and Isla Osburn, Jacob Rodriguez; great-grandchildren, Taylor, Cameron and Tucker Dietz, Jasmine Dollarhide, and Garrett Thome; brothers, Pat, Billy, and Flan Connolly; along with many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Ireland.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 3-7 p.m. in the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, concluded with a sharing of memories and Irish Toast, beginning at 6:40 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 30, 2025 in the funeral home with interment to follow at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, 30000 East River Road, Perrysburg, OH 43551.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

A livestream of the Friday morning ceremony can be viewed and condolences and fond memories shared on the Tribute Wall of this page.