James Robert Connelly was born in Bakersfield, California in 1941. After graduating from Garces Memorial High School in 1958, he served in the United States Marine Corps for six months. He earned the rank of Corporal E-4, and remained in the Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1967. Meanwhile, after earning an AA from Bakersfield College in June 1961, James and his spouse Carol moved to Fresno, California, where James received a BS in Accounting from Fresno State College in 1963. Though the move to Fresno was originally intended to be temporary, when James began working with local accounting superstar Sheldon P. Lewis, the decision was made to remain in Fresno--much to the relief of Carol as well as their four eventual children, who were grateful to have been born in the city of William Saroyan rather than Earl Warren.
When James earned his rating as a Certified Public Accountant in April 1966, an exciting accomplishment which he referred to as "getting his ticket," he became a partner with Sheldon Lewis at the newly-rebranded Lewis, Mattes, Connelly + Higgins tax firm. James also acted as Vice President for their firm's Benefit Administration Corporation offshoot, and was a pioneering computer programmer in the early punched-card-and-giant mainframe days. This was all before finally hanging out his own shingle as a solo CPA in 1981, though he continued as a programmer throughout the decade, including co-writing the groundbreaking software used by the Video Zone movie-rental stores.
For all his achievements in both computer programming and chartered accountancy, James was no less dedicated to public service, and he gave back to his community in many ways. When his eldest son discovered soccer, James learned the unfamiliar sport himself well enough to become a coach. In addition to putting his math-brain to work by becoming Treasurer for the Fresno Junior Soccer League in 1970, he coached his son's Robinson Elementary team to victory at the 1974 City Cup Finals, and founded the soccer program at San Joaquin Memorial High so he could continue to coach his son. James went on to coach his two youngest children's soccer teams at Starr School, while also teaming up with Peggy Renberg to co-found the San Joaquin Valley's long-overdue first girls' soccer league.
But James' most personally meaningful work was born in 1973 when his friend Mike McGarvin founded Poverello House, a non-profit, nondenominational shelter which provided food and other essential services to those in need. It became one of James' great passions, and he remained an active member until well into the late 2000s, representing Poverello House in the media and devoting his Thanksgivings to feeding the hungry.
Starting in 1983 James served as the Treasurer of the North Fresno Rotary Club, which he saw as an opportunity to help local organizations which were close to his heart, such as the Hinds Hospice. But he also used it as an opportunity to exercise his creative-writing muscles, and he took pride in adding wit and humor to the Club's weekly bulletin. James also explored his creative side through painting and photography, and he always encouraged his children to pursue their own artistic interests and paths in life.
James' family, wife Mary, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild would appreciate donations to the Poverello House in lieu of flowers.
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