Pete is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia; his father, George Connolly; his sisters, Sr. Pegeen
Connolly, SCRH, and Brida Connolly; his aunts Marilyn Dickens and Anita McTaggart; cousins Gina and Robert Atkinson, David Dickens, Steve Dickens, Debra McTaggart Fisher and Jim Fisher; his stepdaughter, Brittany Driesler; his first wife and Brittany’s mother, Terri Connolly; and a large circle of loving friends and fond co-workers. He is preceded in death by his mother, Sharon Connolly.
Pete was born on November 16, 1963 in Berkeley, California, but was a lifelong Southern Californian, living in the San Fernando Valley for much of his life and spending his final years in the Inland Empire city of Hesperia. He had a gift for fixing everything from computers to cars, and spent much of his long career at Riverside Chevrolet as the go-to technician for the most complex issues with modern high-tech vehicles. In his work he also taught new and aspiring techs, patiently passing on the skills that made him a master of his trade.
But more than that, he was a musician who mastered seemingly countless instruments, from penny whistle to drums (bodhran or rock ‘n’ roll) to bass and classical and lead guitar. His passion for music ranged through traditional Irish and Scottish tunes to classic country, from pop to old school metal and prog. Pete was a magical singer, a versatile musician with a powerful voice but gifted with great delicacy and taste, a singer to lift spirits, break hearts, rouse men to battle, or close down the pub.
Pete loved and was loved by his friends, an array of men and women, young and old, straight arrows and eccentrics and the odd mad genius, all of them loyal and loving people who were drawn as naturally to him as he to them. His circle was ever expanding in his passions and pursuits over the years, including NASCAR and all things automotive, Renaissance Faires, music festivals, historical re-enactment, Celtic culture and music, and 20-plus years as part of the traditional music group Finagle, which ended only with the passing of fellow original member Annie Lainhart in 2011. Not a man to waste a moment of precious time, Pete also became, through study and deep reading, a serious and thoughtful historian with a particular focus on the Second World War and military history.
With no gathering possible at this time, when circumstances permit, there will be a Pete Connolly Memorial/Wake/Celebration to come.
The family would like to thank all of Pete’s health care team, especially the oncology staff at Loma Linda Hospital, for their skill, dedication, care, and kindness throughout his illness.
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