Michael Joseph Connelly, 79, writer and member of the Kennedy administration, died March 12 of cancer at his home in Severna Park, Maryland .
Mr. Connelly was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1929, and was raised in Chicago and on a farm in central Illinois . He attended the University of Illinois , where he eventually became editor of the Daily Illini newspaper. Following a short stint as editor of the Brown Swiss Bulletin, he served several years in the Air Force, where he wrote for the Stars and Stripes.
Following his discharge, he moved to California , working for City News Service, United Press and the San Francisco Chronicle. In Los Angeles , Mr. Connelly met JoAnne Sarazan of Fort Worth, Texas , and they married in March of 1956.
The couple had a son, Michael David, the following year and moved to Fort Worth , where Mr. Connelly worked a short time with his father-in-law in real estate before being selected to direct the Kennedy campaign in Texas . During that period, the Connellys had a daughter, Michelle Louise. Following the 1960 election, the family moved to Washington , where Mr. Connelly held several positions in the Kennedy administration.
Sent to Chicago in 1963 to begin work on the next campaign, Mr. Connelly returned to writing following the president's assassination. He wrote for, edited and published a number of magazines, eventually heading the Montgomery Ward publishing division. He later became editor of Consumers Digest.
After leaving Chicago , Mr. Connelly moved to Dobbs Ferry , New York , and worked for a New York law firm before moving to Annapolis , Maryland in 1986. There, he wrote for the Washington Post, wrote and produced documentaries for A&E network, and rejoined one of his past employers, USAID as part of a team helping the newly formed Republic of Moldova develop an independent press.
A lifelong desire to live on the water was fulfilled when Mr. Connelly moved with his wife to a house on Dividing Creek in Severna Park , Maryland in 1994. Following the death of his wife in 2003, Mr. Connelly found companionship with his partner of the last several years, Nancy Jane Sullivan.
Even in his official retirement, Mr. Connelly worked as a substitute teacher for the Anne Arundel County High Schools and was a dedicated volunteer for a local social service agency, Partners In Care.
Mr. Connelly is survived by his partner, Nancy, his son, Michael and daughter, Michelle, grandchildren Katie, Meghan, Martin, Louis, Patrick and William, several beloved nieces and nephews, and a cherished Labrador, Sarah Jane.
A funeral Mass was offered  Monday, March 17 at Our Lady of the Fields Catholic Church, in Millersville followed by interment in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake , 445 Defense Highway , Annapolis , MD 21401 or Our Lady of the Fields, 1070 Cecil Avenue , Millersville , MD 21108 .
Online condolences may be made at www.barrancofuneral home.com.