John P. Connolly
John P. Connolly, 78, of Syracuse, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, at Miller’s Merry Manor.
He was born on Aug. 17, 1935, in Syracuse to James and Catherine (Shenberger) Connolly. On Oct. 23, 1954, he married Shirley Hollar. He was a lifelong area resident.
He retired from Chore Time Brock after 12 years as a material handler. He was a sales rep in the RV Industry from 1970-1989; Syracuse Rubber from 1956-1970, starting out as a laborer and later working his way up to Quality Control; and estimator and purchasing agent with Cambridge Homes.
He was a 1953 graduate of Syracuse High School. He served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corp (Signal Detachment). He attended EMT school in Huntington, Ind., attended ACME Tech Trade School in Fort Wayne, Ind., he was a trained firefighter and became the first EMT in Kosciusko County.
He was instrumental in orchestrating and obtaining the first ambulance in Syracuse in 1972 and served with the Syracuse EMS from 1960-1989. He served as a volunteer on the Syracuse Fire Department.
He was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, was one of the original Red Coats at Goshen Hospital, served on the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Syracuse Wawasee Historical Museum Board. He founded and maintained a marker program for fallen firefighters from the town of Syracuse.
He was a member of both the Syracuse American Legion and VFW where he served on the Honor Guard. John enjoyed walking and cutting and selling firewood.
John is survived by his wife: Shirley Connolly, Syracuse; a daughter: Susan Reiff, Whitestown, Ind.; a son: Gary Connolly, Nappanee, Ind.; three grandsons: Lucas Reiff, Caleb Reiff and Jonathan Connolly; a brother: James (Linda) Connolly, Bloomington, Ind.; and a sister: Julie (Ralph) Eggleston, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. Services will follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Ed Beadle of the St. Andrews United Methodist Church officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Syracuse Fire Department, St. Andrews United Methodist Church, or the Syracuse Wawasee Historical Museum.