Norman James Connelly

Norman James Connelly

On February 13, 2015 Norman James Connelly, 87, passed from this life to the next after suffering from multiple health issues incident age.  There to welcome him home were many beloved family members who had preceded him in death, what a joyous reunion that must have been!

Norman was born on September 25, 1927 in Levan, Utah the fourth of seven children to parents Ramsey Duncan and Anna Elizabeth Anderson Connelly.  He spent a happy childhood growing up in Utah County.  He had many exciting adventures with his brothers and friends and probably also got into plenty of mischief and hijinxs as well.  He had fond memories of visiting his grandmother’s kitchen and the treats she would cook.  He liked to talk about his paper route and all the people he came into contact with along the way.  Always a lover of nature and its beauty he spent many happy hours hunting, fishing and exploring in the great outdoors.

After graduating from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army against his mother’s wishes.  For a short time he was stationed in Germany.  He greatly enjoyed the people he met there and the beautiful landscape.  He came back with several clocks and many stories.  He was honorably discharged, and received a “Good Conduct” medal.

Family and friends probably thought Norman would remain a bachelor forever, but after being set up on a double blind date with his brother Glen he finally met his sweetheart Rae Esklund.  He had actually been set up with the other girl, but after meeting it was mutually decided to switch dates!  After literally years of courtship Norman proposed on Christmas Day and they were finally married on May 19, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple.  They made their home in Kaysville, Utah and were eager to start a family.  After years of trying they finally adopted two daughters before they were blessed with one of their own.  Norman and Rae were married for nine years until she passed away in 1976 shortly after the birth of their third child.

Two years later he found love once again after being set up by mutual friends.  He married Janice Daybell on August 12, 1978.   Her four children from a prior marriage were added to make a very large blended family.

Most of his career was spent as a civil servant working at Hill Air Force Base4 as an aviation machinist.  After retirement he held several other jobs including a shuttle bus driver at the airport, a courier, and refurbishing washers and dryers.  He also put many loving hours into the large garden he grew each year and was very proud of all the fruit and produce he harvested.  A friend once described him as a “farmer at heart.”  He was also very proud of the house he built in Layton and where he and Janice resided for over 36 years.  When he wasn’t in the garden he could be found in the garage tinkering and building things and was a little knowledgeable in repairing just about everything.  His other hobbies included rock hunting, exploring, reading, experimenting with cooking, and collecting little bits and pieces of lots of things over the years.  He felt his greatest accomplishment however was being a loving grandfather to 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  There are many happy memories shared from weekends at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.   

Norman is survived by his wife Janice and their children, Bruce Daybell, Pauline (Steve) Youngberg, Mike (Lyn) Daybell, Bryan (Terrie) Daybell, Melissa (Laren) Jones, Teresa Connelly and Jennifer Connelly.  He is also survived by siblings, Colleen Barbakos, Gordon Connelly, Jack Connelly, and a very large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Bessie Rae Esklund, parents, in-laws, siblings, Glen Connelly, Wallace Connelly, Fern Corrigan and by his grandson Cody Daybell.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the staff members at Davis Hospital and Thatcher Brook Rehabilitation for their help in caring for Norman over the last several weeks.