June 6, 1946 – March 21, 2017

John (Jack) Connolly, a mechanic who served the La Cañada/La Crescenta area for over 50 years, died Tuesday, March 21 at his home in La Cañada. He was 70.

Jack was born June 6, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Pauline and Edward Connolly. In 1957 his family moved to Plattsburgh, New York where he grew up. From an early age Jack always liked working with his hands and repairing things. During his teenage years he started working on cars with his Uncle Walter and after he graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Jack served in the Army for three years where he worked on trucks, tanks and other military vehicles. In 1967, Jack was stationed at Fort Ord, California where he met his future wife, Kathy. They were married in La Cañada in July 1969.

Jack started his mechanic’s career with Southern California Edison, fixing their fleet of vehicles. In 1971, he opened his own auto repair shop, “Jack’s Auto Service,” and served the people of Montrose and the surrounding area for 25 years.

In 1996, Jack went to work for the United States Postal Service at its Vehicle Maintenance Facility in Pasadena where he worked until the time of his death.

Jack was an avid reader and had many hobbies including gardening, fishing and hunting. He was also an adult leader with the Boy Scouts of America at Troop 507 in La Cañada for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathy Connolly; his children Patrick and Thomas; and his younger brother James Connolly.

A memorial Mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Church in Montrose at the end of April.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Jack’s name to the Vietnam Veterans Association or veteran’s organization of your choice.

Funeral directors are Crippen Mortuary. An interactive memorial tribute page for Jack can be found at www.CrippenMortuary.com.