Darlington, SC Paul A. Connolly, 82, of Darlington, SC, formerly of Waltham, MA, died on Friday, May 15, 2015, at his residence after an illness. He was born in Lowell, MA, a son of the late James and Marion Higgins Connolly. Paul served in the US Army and was a Korean War Veteran with the Army Security Agency. He was a graduate of Boston English High School and attained a BA/MA degree from Boston State Teachers College, with credits towards his Doctorate from Boston University. Paul worked as a teacher at Solomon Lewenberg Middle School in Mattapan, MA, a model teacher in Boston, assistant principal at Gavin Middle School in South Boston. He was also the principal at Central Middle School and at South Middle School, both in Waltham, MA. Paul was director of the drug program for the city of Boston. He retired as principal of Fitzgerald Elementary School and Banks Elementary School, both in Waltham, MA, as well as assistant principal of Taunton Middle School. He was also a starter at Round Hill Country Club in Sandwich, MA. Paul was a member of the Lions Club and the American Legion in Waltham and the Gridiron Club in Boston. He was a school committee member for nine years in Waltham and was a member of the MA Teachers/Principal Association and was the recipient of many educational awards over the years. Paul is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Keelan Connolly; his daughters, Clare Welch of Waltham, MA, and Debra Connolly of Camden, SC; his son, Paul Connolly, Jr. of Darlington, SC; and four grandchildren, Jacqueline Raponi, Ryan Welch, Stephanie Welch and Samantha Brady; brothers, James Connolly of New Hampshire and Florida and David Connolly of Nevada; and a sister, Marilyn McLellan of Scituate and Cambridge, MA. A memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Florence National Cemetery with full military honors directed by Cain-Calcutt-Stephens Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Love and gratitude to my daughter in law, Ellen, and our son, Paul for their tenderness and unwavering care throughout this long journey. Thanks to the staff at Agape Hospice in Florence, especially Caterina Moore, Amy Berry , Linda Stevens, Yolanda Mumford, Octavia and Lindsay, for their kindness in caring for Paul.