Father Jerry Connolly

June 17, 1941 - March 23, 2025

Father Jerry Connolly passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025, at St. John's Vista. In Billings, MT after a life of service to God and his Church.

Fr. Jerry was born June 17, 1941 in Kalispell, MT to James and Mabel (Peterson) Connolly. At the age of 9, the family moved to Great Falls where Fr. Jerry attended elementary school and Great Falls Central, graduating in 1959. After graduating from Great Falls Central, Fr. Jerry went on to seminary schools at St. Edward's and St. Thomas in Kenmore, WA. Following his graduation, Fr. Jerry was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Great Falls - Billings on May 20, 1967 at St. Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls. Fr. Jerry celebrated his first mass on May 21st. 1967 at Holy Family Church in Great Falls.

During his time as a priest, he served the parishioners of the Diocese of Great Falls - Billings for over forty years in a variety of locations around the Diocese including: Our Lady of Lourdes, Great Falls; Great Falls Central Catholic High School; and Holy Rosary Parish, Billings, taught at Billings Central High School and served as chaplain at the Newman Center. He was the pastor at Sacred Heart in Bridger, Fromberg and Joliet; St Pius in Billings; St. Josephs in Plentywood, Immaculate Conception Church in Forsyth and Sacramental Minister at St. Margaret Mary in Colstrip.

Fr. Jerry truly loved Montana and the beauty of the variety of landscapes and communities he cherished. A priest who made known God's presence in a comforting way and at our level. Humble and kind with a servant's heart. He was a simple man who had a love for the land, gardening and especially for his Boyd retreat, where he spent many happy years as a gentleman farmer.

His greatest love though was to his God and his faith. His gentle and joyful mannerisms invited comfortable dialogs related to God, faith, grace and the realities of the world he so enjoyed. A priest who made a difference because of his ability to bond faith and human nature together with his lifelong commitment to God.

Fr. Jerry is survived by his sister Shari (Bob) Guiles, nephews Tony (Jessie) Guiles and Michael Guiles along with great niece and nephew Ella and Satchel Guiles. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Petie Connolly. Fr. Jerry's family would like to thank the staff at St John's Vista and hospice care for their loving care. Everyday, you treated Fr. Jerry with the utmost kindness and dignity. Bless you all.

Fr. Jerry will have a mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. on April 5th at St. Pius X Catholic Church, followed by the committal at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Montana, P.O. Box 1345, Great Falls, MT 59403.