Dennis R. CONNOLLY, 58, of Whitesville, NY, died Saturday, December 17, 2022 in his home.  

He was born March 5, 1964, in Wellsville.  A 1982 graduate of Whitesville Central School, he served honorably with the U.S. Air Force from 1984 – 2004.  Dennis spent most of his military career in the Middle East.  While serving, he played on the Air Force softball team.  After retiring from the military, he was employed by Alstom in Hornell, worked as a government contractor in Guantanamo Bay, and was last employed by Hines Medical Distribution in Chicago, IL, where he ran the shipping and distribution center.  Dennis was an avid Bills and Sabres fan.  He loved to bowl, hunt, fish, play pool, cook, and grill.  He was a member of Morrison B. Hayes American Legion Post #702, Frank B. Church VFW Post #2530, and Wellsville Moose Lodge #601. 

Surviving are:  his mother, Sharon (Thomas) Van Etten of Whitesville;  three daughters, Emilia (Joseph) Johnson of Warrenville, IL, Carol Zuniga and Mia Connolly, both of Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi, TX;  a granddaughter, Valentina Moreno;  three sisters, Yvonne (Arthur) Simmons of Whitesville, Amy (Jonathan) Thomas of Bolivar, and Cindy Van Etten of Delmar;  nieces and nephews, Marilynn (Joshua) Crummenauer, Marcus (Shelly) Schoen, Kori Thomas, and Jayna Thomas;  and his pets he loved, Wrinkles and Ramsey. 

A special thank you to his caregivers, Todd and Vickie Hilfiger.  Military Rites will be accorded 4:00 PM, Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Morrison Hayes American Legion Post #702, 23 Jefferson St., Wellsville, NY.  A dinner will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Independence Historical Society, P.O. Box 121, Whitesville, NY 14897 or the SPCA serving Allegany County, P.O. Box 381, Wellsville, NY 14895.  Arrangements are under the direction of OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.