Raymond J Connolly

PEMBROKE - Raymond John Connolly Jr., age 76, died at his home in Pembroke Ma. on the evening of October 31st, 2020 after a long-standing illness. He is survived by his wife Evelyn J. Connolly (Lepore) of 54 years, his daughter Maureen Shevalier, his Son-in-Law Scott Shevalier, and two grandchildren Gabrielle and Norah Shevalier of Pembroke Ma.  He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond John Connolly Sr. and  Josephine Daphne Connolly (Reilly) both of Patchogue N.Y.

He was born on November 16, 1943, in Manhattan N.Y.  He earned his B.S. in Biology at Providence College in 1965 where he met and married Evelyn J. Lepore on July 9th, 1966 in Rhode Island. They moved to Pennsylvania where he continued his education and received P.H.D in Physiology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969.  He moved home to New York to do his post-doctoral fellowship at Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1970-1972. 

He returned to New England in 1972 to work at New England Medical Center in the Physiology and Radiology department. His professional career culminated in 1979 when he became Directory of the Surgical Research Laboratory at New England medical center where continued in that role until his retirement in 2007. Over the years he was an instructor and lecturer in Physiology at Tufts Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine.  He was awarded the title of Associate Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the Tufts School of Medicine.  He published hundreds of papers that have been cited thousands of times. His contributions to research, science, and medicine will endure over time.  He was a dedicated scientist who loved his work and teaching others the “proper” way to do research.

In his spare time, Raymond enjoyed golf, tennis, and basketball.  He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and pets. He was most comfortable on a New York beach playing in the surf.

Services are scheduled for Friday, November 6th beginning at 9 am at Peck Funeral Home at 516 Washington St, Braintree Ma 02184.  At 11 am the procession will proceed to graveside services at Pembroke Cemetery.  In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to CUREPSP at https://www.psp.org/iwanttohelp/ways-to-give/.

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