Honolulu, HI – On December 27, 2025, Michael (Mike) Kevin Connelly suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage while vacationing abroad with his wife Linda. Mike was born on October 30, 1950, in Greenfield, MA; he was raised across the river in Turners Falls.
Mike went through the Turners Falls school system; he graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1968, as a member of the National Honor Society, co-captain of both the cross-country and track teams, Business Manager of the Yearbook, and a member of the Student Patrol. In high school, Mike was best known as one of the top distance runners in the state of Massachusetts.
Mike matriculated at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UMASS, in 1968. He continued his cross-country career there. Mike received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the University.
After graduation from UMASS, Mike began his long teaching career as a popular elementary school teacher in Turners Falls. Mike loved being a teacher and was beloved by his students. He taught sixth grade in Turners Falls from 1972 until 1980.
In August of 1981 after being hired by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, Mike arrived in Aschaffenburg, Germany. He was assigned as a sixth grade teacher at the Aschaffenburg American School. It was here that he met his future wife, Linda Wetton, who taught middle school in the same school. Mike and Linda became a couple and were eventually married in the German village of Bessenbach. Over the next 30+ years, Mike and Linda worked and travelled throughout Europe and Asia.
Mike taught at the following schools in Germany: Aschaffenburg Elementary, Rhein Main Elementary, Ansbach Elementary, Wiesbaden Middle School, Vilseck Elementary, and Bad Aibling Elementary.
Additionally, he taught at the Bahrain School in the Persian Gulf and at Darby Elementary in Sasebo, Japan, and at Kinser Elementary, in Okinawa.
Mike was an exceptional cross country and track coach while in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was revered by his own teams as well as opposing coaches and teams. He supported fellow coaches and their teams by attending most home athletic events.
During the 1985-86 school year, Mike was granted an educational leave. He studied Talented and Gifted Education at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, working as a Graduate Assistant alongside Dr. Dorothy Sisk, a well-respected, world-renowned gifted education expert.
Mike’s love of travel and learning about foreign cultures led to constant travel. The Connellys visited over 90 countries during their time as overseas teachers and in retirement.
While working in Japan and Okinawa, Mike often planned “stopovers” in Hawaii. It was during these layovers, that the Connellys fell in love with the Hawaiian Islands and the culture there. After Mike retired in 2008, Linda accepted a position at Guam High School.
Once the Connellys were both retired, they enjoyed attending the Department of Defense Dependent Schools annual reunion. They also became involved with the American Overseas Schools Historical Society, helping to establish its museum in Wichita, Kansas.
The large number of students he taught and the athletes that he coached remember him with respect and honor his memory to this day.
Mike is survived by his wife, the former Linda Wetton; his mother, Theresa Connelly (100 years old); his brother, Kevin Connelly, of Arlington Virginia. He was pre-deceased by his father, William Connelly and brothers Christopher and Sean. From his brothers he has 6 beloved nieces and nephews and 6 grand nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service at Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls, Massachusetts, on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at 10:00. All are welcome to attend and honor his legacy.
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