Neil Connolly, Sr. 78 of Middleboro, formerly of Marshfield. Survived by his wife Patricia L. (Celino) Connolly, three sons, Neil Connolly Jr. and his wife Susan, Robert Connolly and Kevin Connolly and his wife Lisa, Grandchildren Christine, Katy, Erin, Joshua and James, great grandson Nathen Mota, brothers Michael Connolly and John Connolly and many nieces and nephews. Neil was predeceased by his parents Michael and Nellie (Woodrow) Connolly and siblings Mary Allen, Donald Connolly and Carol Salee.

Neil was born on February 6, 1937 in Boston, MA. He grew up in Tewksbury, raised three sons in Marshfield, and retired to Middleboro with his wife, Pat in 2003. Neil and Pat were a true love story and recently celebrated their 57th anniversary together. Neil was a loyal public servant, serving as a police officer for the town of Norwell for 30 years, proudly wearing badge number 1. He was born to be a policeman; he loved his job and the opportunity it afforded him to help people. Neil was an avid gardener, a sun worshiper, and enjoyed his monthly poker games with his old friends from the police force. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He took great pleasure in his new-found friends at Oak Point, playing bingo, and taking the occasional trip to Foxwoods. Neil was a big fan of rock and roll and loved to play it loud! He was a selfless man who impacted many, many lives and will be sorely missed.

Visiting hours will be held in the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean St., Rte. 139 in Marshfield on Sunday, March 1 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Funeral from the funeral home on Monday, March 2 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 40 Canal St. in Marshfield at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be held in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 12:30 p.m.

Contributions in Neil's memory may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 18 Canton St., Stoughton, MA 02072.