David Lee Connelly - Obituary

David Lee Connelly 89, of Plant City, passed away Tuesday afternoon, November 11, 2025, at Melech Hospice House in Temple Terrace. Dave was born November 21, 1936, in Marshall Michigan, a son of the late Claere and Lee Connelly. ‍Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Connelly, and had no children.

‍No memorial service will be held and his ashes will be sent to Michigan to spread in the woods where Dave loved to hunt.  Dave spent months out of the year for 25 years on his friend Walt’s property in his heated deer blind with his bow and arrows waiting for a buck to catch his eye.

‍‍Dave’s memory lives on with his friends who have the highest regard for him.  He had a full life working as an a/c engineer, completing many projects in the Tampa Bay area.  He always loved cars and fulfilled his dream of retiring and building an automotive shop as Uncle Dave’s Auto Repair.  Dave opened up his shop to the local “redneck boys” and was generous in helping everyone.

Dave loved to win.  He won best of show with his Keshon dogs when he was younger and with his custom Fiero’s after he retired.  He had satisfaction in his life and enjoyed sitting in the doorway of his garage watching the airplanes and improvements to his property being made.

I would say he won in the end dying of old age and never suffered with any pain.  Dave was one of the good guys. He even kept his sense of humor to the end.  Rest in peace friend.