Capt. ROBERT BAILEY CONNELLY, USN (Ret.)
On Tuesday, July 13, 2010 in Silver Spring, MD, formerly of Jamestown, RI from complications associated with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Los Angeles, CA, on September 10, 1930 to then Lt. Bailey Connelly and Evelyn Coloney Connelly. He graduated from the US Naval Academy with the 2nd Company in 1952, and married Elizabeth Ann Bayne the following November. He served on the battleship Wisconsin (BB-64) for two years before attending Electronics School and Submarine School in 1955. After two years on the USS Blackfin (SS-322), he had nuclear power training, and reported to the USS Sargo (SSN-583) which made the first winter surfacing at the North Pole in February, 1960.
Subsequent sea duty was as Commissioning Engineer of the USS John Marshall (SSBN-611), Commissioning Executive Officer of the USS Sam Rayburn (SSBN-635) and Commanding Officer of the USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630).
His first shore duty was at the Naval Submarine School as Head of the Officer’s Training Depart-ment. Subsequent duty included the staff of Commander, Submarines, US Atlantic Fleet, and finally as Chair of Submarine Warfare at the US Naval War College, Newport, RI from which he retired in 1977.
Capt. Connelly was employed by Purvis Systems, Inc. in Newport, RI for several years. He was among the founding partners of The Newport Athletic Club, was a member of the Board of the Newport Armed Services YMCA, and a vestryman and member of Trinity Church, Newport, RI.
Survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Cathleen of Washington, DC; sons, Robert, Jr. of Arlington, VA and Thomas Bayne of Mansfield, MA; and two grandsons, Matthew Gordon Connelly and Samson Bailey Connelly.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Church, One Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI 02840 on Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 15 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Trinity Church or to the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, www.usna.com .
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