Connelly was assigned to the 40th Engineer Battalion, Task Force 1-6, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; died Feb. 26, 2009 in Baghdad, of wounds sustained when his vehicle was struck by an explosive device.

His brother, Kevin Connelly, recalled him as rowdy, loyal and protective.

He loved being on the water, raucous music, mosh pits and once saved his younger sibling from a rip tide.