Edward Joseph Connerty, Sr.

CONNERTY Edward J., Sr. of Norwell, Sunday, April 16, at the age of 81. Beloved Husband of Alice (Murphy) Connerty. Devoted Father of Edward Connerty, Jr. and his wife Colleen of Norwell, Mark Connerty of Norwell, Kara Connerty of Norwell, and Brian Connerty and his wife Kendall of Hanover. Loving Grandfather of Catherine, Grace, and Allison of Norwell, Matthew, Emma, Nora, and Tyler of Hanover, and Chloe of Norwell. Dear Brother of the late Elinor Theriault, James Connerty, and Raymond Connerty. Brother In Law of Eleanor Manton and her husband Joseph of Quincy, William Murphy and his late wife Angela of Florida, Helen Bernardo and her husband Lee of Rhode Island, the late George Murphy and his wife Carol of Quincy, the late Margaret Novak and her late husband Henry of Quincy, the late Roger Theriault, Marie Connerty, and Marcia Connerty. He will be missed by his cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Edward was born in Cambridge on July 29, 1941 and was the son of the late James E. and Grace (Keefe) Connerty. He was raised in Somerville and Quincy (Adams Shore) and graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School. Edward was a member of the United States Navy, and after marrying Alice moved to Norwell.

Ed loved summering on Nantasket Beach with his eight grandchildren, and wintering with them on the slopes of Cannon Mountain in New Hampshire, finally hanging up his skis at eighty years old. Ed loved to travel with his wife Alice, and saw most of America, Europe, and the Caribbean islands with her. He saw much of the rest of the world during his time in the U.S. Navy. He was proud of his four children and two daughter-in-laws. Ed was most at home outdoors, helping to build Boston’s skyline over a forty five year career as a proud member of Local 7 Ironworkers Union, biking the Cape Cod Canal, kayaking the North River, or splitting wood and bringing everyone together around one of his famous campfires. Ed especially loved cheering on his grandchildren’s sports from the stands in Norwell and Hanover, never missing one over a twenty year span. If it was a school concert or play, you could count on him to be there with a Grampa hug and a big smile on his face. 

Out in the world, Ed had a clear-eyed faith in humanity, welcomed everyone, and saw the best in all he encountered. He held firm to his principles but embraced change and growth throughout his lifetime, and encouraged the same in those he loved. Back at home, he was known for his culinary specialties of blueberry banana pancakes and turkey lasagnas, and no family birthday was complete without them. Ed was a lifelong avid reader, especially of classic literature, and always kept a bookmark on hand to write down vocabulary words he did not know to look up. He believed in education, and more importantly, learning. He cherished knowledge of all kind.

Above all, Ed loved his wife and best friend, Alice, of fifty four years, and cherished their time together. He also loved his family and dedicated his life to helping make their lives the best they could possibly be. Whether it was the countless vacation road trips to Disney World, the Adirondack Mountains, Old Orchard Beach, or Point Sebago in Maine, Ed was always at the wheel with Willie Nelson’s On the Road Again playing in the background. He loved to host holiday parties for his large extended family over the years, and busied himself throughout, serving and making sure a good time was had by all. Ed was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, and a great friend to many throughout his lifetime. Of all his children and grandchildren’s teachers, he was their first and best. He was beloved by his family and will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 3-7pm at the McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home-1 Summer Street, COHASSET, MA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, April 24 at 10am at St. Mary of the Nativity-1 Kent Street, Scituate, MA. Interment will be held at Stetson Meadows Cemetery, Norwell. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org

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