Colonel Michael F. Connolly, USAF Retired, passed away January 2, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 88. Born in Dushore, Pennsylvania, to Lewis Timothy Connolly and Catherine R. McDermott Connolly, Mike was the eldest of three children.

After graduation from high school in Dushore, Mike attended Penn State University. He joined the United States Air Force in 1956, earning his pilot's wings. A fighter pilot by training and disposition, Mike also flew B-52's during the Cuban missile crisis. While on active duty, Mike obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha as well as a Master's degree from Georgetown University. The recipient of numerous citations and medals, Mike was most proud of the Silver Star he earned while flying the F-100 Super Sabre during the Vietnam War. After serving twenty-four years and two months, Mike retired from the Air Force as base commander at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico.

Following his Air Force career, Mike was the city manager in Clovis before starting his own business, Connolly Aviation, as an airplane broker/dealer. During his third career, he was a corporate pilot for many years. Mike also enjoyed piloting his own plane and said he quit counting his hours of flying time after he hit 15,000.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Patrick of Pittsburgh, PA and his sister, Mary Lu Seelig of Wilmington, DE.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, of San Antonio; daughters, Catherine Lyssy (Kenneth) of Hallettsville, Texas and Maureen Rutherford (Hollis) of Mullin, Texas, and son Michael F. Connolly, Jr. of Waco, Texas.  Other survivors include four grandchildren: Jeffery Rutherford, Stephen Rutherford, Matthew Lyssy, and Melanie Lyssy (fiancé Noah Reddy) and one great-grandchild, Carter Lyssy.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home with the Holy Rosary recited at 6:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10, 2025 at St Louis Catholic Church, Castroville, Texas. A Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at 9:0 a.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Mike's memory to the Air Force Village Charitable Foundation.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.  www.tondre-guin.com