Donald E Connolly, 93, died May 13, 2011, at the Shorewood Senior  Campus assisted living facility in Rochester.

Don was born June 3, 1917, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, the son of  Edward and Ida (Stuve) Connolly. The family soon after moved to  Rochester, where Don was a lifelong resident. He married Nina  Cranston on September 15, 1940, in Cresco Iowa. After working for  approximately 15 years as a plumber, Don along with his brother Tom  and father Ed built Connolly's Motel in downtown Rochester. The  motel was a thriving family business until Don and his partners  retired in 1981, when the motel was sold to the Mayo Clinic.

Don and  Nina enjoyed traveling and watching their grandchildren grow up  during their 30 years of retirement together.  Don is survived by Nina, his wife of 70 years; children Jerry  (Mary), Mike (Bonnie), Jean (Ken) Pagel, and Steve (Lane); and seven  grandchildren, Jennifer, Christine, Alissa, Krista, Brian, Dan, and  Jessica. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Tom.

Visitation will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at the  River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, followed by  the funeral Mass at 11:00 AM, with Father John Lasuba officiating.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.