Connolly, Donald John

Dec 20, 2023

Don passed away peacefully after a steady decline in health at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Liane, his daughters Carolyn (Mitrow) and Mary-Ellen(Paul), his grandchildren Alexandra and Nicholas Leroux and his brother Jim(Jean).

Born in Kingston, Ontario, Don spent his childhood years dreaming of becoming a pilot and in 1950 joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Due to his strong mathematical skills, he was assigned as a Navigator and flew in the Korean war shortly after graduating from training. Don left the Forces in 1966 resigning as a Squadron Leader, and with two of his squadron members, started up a small book store (Leisure Loft) that expanded into a chain of 6 stores. The business expanded into manufacturing and selling of picture frames and in 1980, he sold his shares in the business and started painting professionally.

In 1986, Don and Liane moved to Little Long Lake outside of Sydenham, Ontario and settled into a lifestyle of painting, hiking, trail building, kayaking, sailing, and enjoying the benefits of living in a small community. He was an active member of the Sydenham environment lake committee and in 2001 was recognized for his volunteerism in South Frontenac Township.

Don became a widely recognized Canadian aviation artist with work represented in a number of major museum collections including the Canadian War and Aviation Museums in Ottawa, the Montreal Aviation Museum, the National Air Force Museum in Trenton, and in numerous other provincial and military museums, both in Canada and the USA. Don was a founding member of the Canadian Aviation Artist Association, was its President for several years and the editor of the newsletter. He was also an active member of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society as well as the American Society of Aviation Artists.

The family will be holding a celebration of Don's life on January 7, 2024 from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m at the Elginburg Trinity United Church community hall at 2170 Unity Road, Elginburg, ON. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Elginburg food bank at the church hall would be greatly appreciated or the Montreal Aviation Museum.