LEWES — Father Mark Connelly, who had served as a part-time associate pastor at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes since 2008, died suddenly on Dec. 1. He was 63.
Father Connelly was ordained for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1987 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. During his career in academics, he served at Wheeling (W.Va.) College, Strayer College in Washington, D.C., and Harvard, St. Joseph’s, Fairfield and Salisbury (Md.) universities. He also held memberships in many academic societies, presented at many conferences and co-authored several books.
A native of Darby, Pa., Father Connelly graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield, Pa., and Georgetown University. He held several advanced degrees, including a doctorate in linguistics from Harvard.
He came to the Diocese of Wilmington in December 2004 and was assigned as associate pastor of Holy Family Parish in Newark.
He is survived by his mother, Marie Teresa Connelly of Swarthmore, Pa., two brothers and nieces and nephews. Bishop Malooly will preside at the Mass of Christian Burial on Dec. 6 at noon at St. Jude’s, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. Contributions in Father Connelly’s memory can be made to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
