John A. Connolly, 70, of Pennington died Saturday at the University Medical Center at Princeton.
Born in Bronx, N.Y., he was the son of an elevator-construction worker. He followed his father into that trade for a few months in the 1950s, but returned to school and later earned a master’s degree and a doctorate in psychology from Columbia University.
He worked for many years as an education psychologist and devoted his professional life to the improvement of teaching methods and systems. He spent the bulk of his professional career at Research for Better Schools, Philadelphia, retiring as the director.
Mr. Connolly enlisted in the U.S. Army out of high school and served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1954 as a sergeant.
Mr. Connolly was a parishioner at St. James Church, Pennington, and served on its parish council.
Mr. Connolly is survived by his wife Alice Devine Connolly, whom he married in 1957; five children, Jean Pudney of London, England, John Connolly of Baltimore, Md., Karen Connolly of San Marino, Calif., David Connolly of Alameda, Calif., and Daniel Connolly of Belmar; a brother, James P. Connolly of Mechanicsville, Va.; five sons- and daughters-in-law; and nine grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. James Church, Pennington.
Calling hours are 7-9 p.m. today (Monday) at Blackwell Memorial Home, 21 N. Main St., Pennington.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pennington Public Library, 30 N. Main St., Pennington, 08534, or to the Pennington First Aid Squad, PO Box 101, Pennington, 08534.
