Paul J. Connelly, 80, of Fairfield, beloved husband of Mary Lou Dailey Connelly, died on November 15, 2010 at St. Vincent's Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.  Paul was devoted to his family and shared his time and talent with many throughout his life. Paul was born in Fairfield on July 31, 1930, the son of William F. and Elizabeth Connelly.  He attended St. Augustine School in Bridgeport and was a graduate of the Fairfield College Preparatory School's Class of 1948.  He graduated from Niagara University in 1952.  Paul was an Army veteran.  Commissioned as an officer in 1952, he served with the 101st Airborne at Fort Breckenridge, Kentucky and the First Cavalry Division in Hokkaido, Japan. Paul retired in 1995 after a 40 year career in the insurance industry with the Hartford Insurance Group and the Old Republic Insurance Co. Paul was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church of Fairfield.  He loved the St. Pius community and participated actively in parish life.  He was a volunteer at the Thomas Merton Center of Bridgeport, serving meals to the ill, homeless, unemployed and working poor.  He also was active among Fairfield Prep alumni, serving as president of their local organization, known affectionately as the "Latin Scholars". In 2008, Paul was awarded the St. Augustine Medal of Service by Bishop William Lori for his service to the Diocese of Bridgeport as a volunteer at the Thomas Merton Center.  In September 2010, Paul was awarded the first St. Ignatius of Loyola Alumni Award, established to recognize graduates of Fairfield Prep who exemplify the characteristics that Prep seeks to instill in its students and being a true man for others. Paul is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Lou; his sons, Paul, Jr. (Erin) of Chittenango, NY; Patrick (Mary) of Harvard, MA, Christopher (Mary Ellen) of Southport and Michael of Fairfield, nine grandchildren, Dylan, Jude, Hilah, Dane, Patrick, Thomas,  Shaun, Devin and Ian and two great-grandchildren, Neeve and Fiona, his sisters Jean McBride, Anne (Gerald) Dillon and Martha (Donal) Sullivan, his brother Thomas (Judy) and several nieces and nephews all of whom he loved very much.  Paul was predeceased by his sisters Mary Redgate and Patricia Corcoran, his brothers William and John Connelly. Paul's family would like to thank all of who cared for him, especially the entire 7 East Nursing Team at St. Vincent's Medical Center.  Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:00am meeting directly in St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, with a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, with full military honors. Friends may call Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm in the Redgate – Hennessy Funeral Home, Main Street and Gorham Place, Trumbull. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Thomas Merton Center, 43 Madison Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604, 203-367-9036 or to The Elizabeth Pfriem Swim Center for Cancer Care c/o St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06606, 203-576-5451. To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com