John W. Connolly (July 4, 1911July 11, 1981) was the 48th

lieutenant governor of Michigan The lieutenant governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor. The current lieutenant governor by default is Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, who has held the office since January 1, 2019. Proce ...

Early life

Connolly was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 4, 1911. Connolly graduated from Georgetown University Law School in 1936. In 1937, he began work as a lawyer.

Military career

In 1942, Connolly joined the United States Naval Reserve, where he served until 1946. In the service, he earned the rank of Senior Grade Lieutenant. His work as a lawyer was interrupted by his military service, and he returned to working as a lawyer afterwards.

Political career

In 1949, Connolly was sworn in as

Lieutenant Governor of Michigan The lieutenant governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor. The current lieutenant governor by default is Garlin Gilchrist, a Democrat, who has held the office since January 1, 2019. Proce ...

, as running mate to

G. Mennen Williams Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams (February 23, 1911 – February 2, 1988) was an American politician who served as the List of governors of Michigan, 41st governor of Michigan, elected in 1948 and serving six two-year terms in office. He lat ...

. At the end of his term, in 1950, he sought re-election unsuccessfully, and tried again in 1952. Connolly ran for circuit judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit in 1964 and 1966, both runs unsuccessful.

Personal life

Connolly was a member of both

Veterans of Foreign Wars The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is an organization of US war veterans, who, as military service members fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or a ...

and the

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is a non-profit organization of U.S. war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militi ...

. Connolly was Catholic.

Death

Connolly died on July 11, 1981, in Detroit.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, John W. 1911 births 1981 deaths Military personnel from Detroit United States Navy personnel of World War II Michigan lawyers Michigan Democrats Catholics from Michigan Politicians from Detroit Lieutenant governors of Michigan Georgetown University Law Center alumni 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century Michigan politicians