Richard Connelly

Richard "Dick" Burke Connelly, 77, passed away Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, at his home on Signal Mountain.Dick lived a life of integrity and putting his priorities of faith, wife and family above all else. Considered a master teacher by all he met, Dick taught math to many but the subject of life to all. He was a 1953 graduate of Notre Dame High School and was an alumnus of the 1958 class of Georgia Tech. He served our country in the United States Air Force. Dick retired from TVA with over 35 years of service. He was an adjunct professor of math at Chattanooga State. He was an active member in the Catholic Church through St. Augustine Parish, Cursillo and the Serra Club. Dick was an avid golfer and body surfer.He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard F. and Margaret Keenoy Connelly.Richard is survived by his wife, Patricia Willard Connelly; children, Rich (Moira) Connelly, of Knoxville, Marie (Tom) Palko, Nancy (Tim) Hoots and Amy (Danny) Killian, all of Nashville, and Beth (Erik) McGann, of Signal Mountain; 22 grandchildren; brother, Robert (Linda) Connelly; sister, Ann (Bob) Watt; several nieces and nephews.A Mass of Celebration will be held at 10 a.m. today at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1716 Anderson Pike, Signal Mountain, TN 37377.Burial and graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. today at Calvary Cemetery in Knoxville, Tenn.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dicks name to Chattanooga Deanery Catholic Schools Operating Fund at 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415.Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.