George Cooper Connolly, 79
George Cooper Connolly, 79, a 54-year resident of Priest River, passed away at Bonner General Hospital in Sandpoint on May 31, 2004, after a five-and-a-half year battle with esophageal cancer. He died surrounded by his loving family.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 5, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River with Pastor Dwain Valez officiating.
George was born June 19, 1924, in Spokane, and he was raised in Harrison. He was the son of John Joseph and Ruth (Cooper) Connolly. After graduating from Harrison High School, he attended Gonzaga University.
In 1943, George enlisted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II as a P-38 fighter pilot. His battles and campaigns included New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Western Pacific, China Defensive, Borneo, Luzon, and the Southern Philippines. In 1946, he was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant from Fort Lewis, Wash., receiving various medals including the Pacific Service Medal with seven bronze stars.
On April 26, 1952, he married Beverlee M. Brown in Spokane.
George worked as an insurance agent and Realtor. He owned and operated the Bob Dow Agency in Priest River from 1951 until his retirement in 1984.
He was active in local organizations, including the Priest River Chamber of Commerce for 25 years, Kiwanis, Elks, and a charter member of the Kaniksu Clinic, of which he was past president. He also was involved with the Boy Scouts of Priest River. He also was a member of the Idaho Association of Insurance Agents and the Idaho Association of Realtors.
George enjoyed golfing, fishing,, boating, gardening, hunting, travel and being a grandfather.
Besides his wife, Beverlee, at their home, he is survived by two daughters, Mara'd (and Jack) Sjostrom of Post Falls and Colleen (and George) Lake of Spokane; two sons, John (and Michelle) Connolly of Oldtown and Jeffrey (and Kris) Connolly of Priest River; eight grandchildren, Brietta Sjostrom Leader and Davon Sjostrom, both of Coeur d'Alene, Courtney Connolly of Portland, Casey and Brittany Connolly, both of Priest River, Keith Connolly of Gig Harbor, Wash., Kyle and Joel Lake, both of Spokane; a great-grandchild, West Jackson Leader of Haines, Alaska; and a step-grandson, Sean Jorgensen of Moscow.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John J. "Jack" Connolly.
Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home of Priest River is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Bonner County.