Obituary of Terence P. Connelly

Terence P. “Terry”  Connelly

It is with great sadness that the family of Terence Connelly announces his passing, on October 11, 2024 at Rochester General Hospital 

Terry (TP) was born October 17th, 1935 in Rochester NY, the son of the late Joseph L and Dorthea E. (Collins) Connelly. His family moved to the east side of Sodus Bay when he was in the 8th grade, and he graduated from Wolcott’s Leavenworth H.S. in 1954. Following a stint in the Navy from 1954-1958 he came home to Sodus Bay and joined his parents in growing the business they called “Connelly’s Cove”.

Terry married his wife of 58 years, Mary Kathleen Bauerschmidt, whom he nicknamed “Kitty” in 1966. Together Terry and Kitty developed Connelly’s Cove into the enormously popular waterfront restaurant and party location that was “the place to be” on Sodus Bay, especially on Sunday afternoons, for decades. Renown for their open steaks, bullheads and TP’s hospitality, strangers quickly became friends and employees became like family at the Cove. 

Terry embodied the spirit of work hard / play hard. He enjoyed boating on Sodus Bay, cheering for the Buffalo Bills, and traveling. He and Kitty enjoyed wintering for many years in their “home away from home” in Dunedin, FL. 

TP exuded a spirit and zest for life that will be hard to replace. His happiness and humor was legendary. Whether that joyful outlook came from his Irish heritage, or a life spent in a career he loved, in a location he loved, with Kitty whom he loved more than anything, we don’t know. We do know his loss leaves an enormous hole in our hearts. 

Terry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kitty, his sons Joseph (Karen), Michael (Mary), Steven (Sheryl), and Timothy (Amy), daughter Kelli (Jeff) Bushnell, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a plethora of friends. 

He is predeceased by his parents and sister Sheila.  

Please join us for a celebration of TP’s life on November 10th from 12-4pm at the Wolcott Elks Club, during the Bills game. Wearing your best Bills attire is encouraged.