CONNOLLY, Bro David, OFM, CAP - (August 2, 1947 - January 21, 2021)
With sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our brother, at St. Joseph Hospice, London, ON, Thursday evening, January 21, 2021, after a lengthy illness with cancer.
Bro David was predeceased by his parents, Gerard and Frances (Hamlyn) Connolly, his sister Paula and his brother John Paul.
He is survived by his brother James Connolly, brother in law, Dave Fairman and sister in law, Mary Theresa Connolly as well as aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and many cousins.
David first encountered the Capuchins as a young Grade 10 student attending their Mount Alverno Minor Seminary where he came from his hometown of Lindsay, ON. On 12 August, 1965 David was invested into the Capuchin Postulancy program and on August 10, 1973 made his Solemn Profession as a Capuchin Friar and took the name “Brendan."
Bro David initially became a Registered Nurse through Humber College where he graduated in 1971. He later went to McMaster University (Hamilton) to become a Family Nurse Practitioner graduating in 1973. For the next 25 years Bro David worked as a Lay Brother in a variety of medical settings in Toronto, Guelph and Winnipeg.
In the early 1980’s Bro David began his Theological Studies for the Priesthood being ordained on the 11th of November 1990. His began his early Priestly ministry as an Associate Pastor at St. Philip Neri Parish in Toronto and later as Pastor and Guardian at St. Mary’s Parish in Blenheim ON. In 1995 he became the Guardian of St Anthony Friary and Administrator of St Francis Table.
His next ministries were as Chaplain and Spiritual Director at the Mount Alverno Retreat Centre in Orangeville. While doing this he was also co-leader of the Franciscan Internship Program along with Bro Ignatius Feaver for about 10 years. In 2007 Bro David was elected as a Councilor to the Provincial Council and later served as Minister Provincial from 2010-2016. From 2019 until his death Bro David served as Vicar Provincial to the Province of the Capuchins of Central Canada.
In 2016, after selling the retreat center of Mount Alverno, he was stationed first at St Philip Neri Friary and later at St. Crispin Friary where he took on the ministry of Chaplain at Brescia College in London. He was then moved to St. Clare Friary as guardian, here he facilitated the new Capuchin ministry at St. Andrew the Apostle parish in London. It was at this time that he first became aware of his illness with cancer.
Bro David spent his final few days at St. Joseph Hospice in London where he died in the presence of his brother and a friar praying with him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Capuchin Foundation through the Capuchin website, www.capuchin.ca/you-can-help
Respecting current provincial restrictions, both funeral mass and interment will be private. There is a limited public visitation on Tuesday, January 26th, at St. Philip Neri Parish, 2100 Jane Street, North York, from 2 to 7 p.m. To visit, YOU MUST REGISTER at www.wardfuneralhomes.com
Livestream is available for the visitation on Tuesday, January 26th, at https://www.stphilipneri.ca/wartchmasslive/ Funeral mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 27th, may be viewed at http://www.standrewtheapostle.ca/.
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