Obituary of Coleman Michael Connolly

Boise, Idaho – Coleman Michael Connolly, 80, of Boise, Idaho, passed away on Monday December 5, 2022, at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center. Coleman was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 1, 1942, to the late Coleman and Mary (Durkin) Connolly. Coleman graduated with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law where he wrote for the Law Review. Coleman practiced law at the law firm Tracey and Clifford in Chicago before moving to Denver, Colorado in 1969. Coleman began his career in Colorado working as a Deputy District Attorney in the Denver District Attorney’s Office before accepting a position as in-house counsel for US West Telephone Service Company. Coleman was part of a team that worked diligently on cases that adjudicated the antitrust breakup of AT&T by creating seven regional telephone companies. After leaving US West Coleman established a Law Partnership with his friend David Hanson (Hanson and Connolly) and worked as an attorney representing the State of Colorado. Coleman was an avid reader of history and a life-long sports fan who took great pleasure in rooting for the Denver Bronco football team. Coleman retired from the practice of law and moved to Boise, Idaho in 2009. While living in Boise Coleman enjoyed family gatherings with John and Sarah and all the “Boise Connolly’s” and talking sports with good friend Steve Swoyer. Coleman loved his grandchildren and took pride in the accomplishments of his children and nieces and nephews and their children. In addition to his parents, Coleman is proceeded in death by his brother-in-law Drew Kinder and his grandnephew James Coleman Connolly. He is survived by his sons Coleman John Connolly (Heather Spalding) and Matthew John Connolly (Carolyn Kahn); grandchildren Cruz Connolly, Briar Connolly, Morgan Connolly, Nadia Connolly, Griffin Connolly and Isabella Connolly; Siblings Mary Therese Kinder and John Connolly (Sarah Swoyer); nieces Ellen Connolly Paget (Eric Paget), Kate Connolly Nihipali (Pat Nihipali), Katie Kinder (Chris Potenza), Molly Kinder (Jayme Johnson), Colleen Kinder (Owen Murray) and nephew Brian Connolly (Mary); 3 grandnieces and 7 grandnephews. We extend special thanks to the care teams at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center and St. Luke’s Clinic Idaho Pulmonary Associates and everyone at Brookdale Boise Parkcenter. Private Services will include a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Rosary Church and Internment at Morris Hill Cemetery.