Thomas PeterConnollyThomas Peter Connolly, 61, passed away suddenly on Monday, May 8, 2017 in Navarre, FL. He was born on June 6, 1955 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Tommoved to Pensacola in 1979 from Forked River, N.J. Tom attended Pensacola Junior College and the University of West Florida where he received a degree in Industrial Technology. Tom worked as a manufacturing engineer for Crane Electronics in Ft. Walton Beach, FL for 26 years. He was a family man who was there in times of celebration or crisis. Tom was happiest when spending time with his grandchildren Gabe and Hailey, who referred to him as "Pop". He was an avid outdoorsman whose hobbies included: hiking the Appalachian Trail, beach volleyball, and sailing on his boat the "Tomcat." Tom was a kind and generous man, especially with his time, and was always helping others. He will be sadly missed by all. Tom was preceded in death by his parents Eugene Thomas and Sarah Jean Connolly, a sister Patricia Ann Ewart, and his godmother Lucy Verlaan. He is survived by his wife of 20 years Patricia Mary Connolly; children Stephen Feltner (Mandy Bricker) and Lisa Feltner (David Payne); sisters Madonna Zimnoch (Joseph) and Karen Mortenson (James); nieces and nephews Molly Zimnoch, Katie Schrader (Ronald Jr.), Emily Ann Mortenson, Jared Ewart (Beth) and Adam Ewart (Jennifer); brother in law Richard Ewart (Marie Elena); grandchildren Gabriel Benavidez and Hailey Payne, as well as many other family members and friends. A Celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm Friday May 19, 2017 at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom's honor to the Patricia Ann Ewart Scholarship Fund c/o Southern Regional High School, 90 Cedar Bridge Rd. Manahawkin, NJ 08050 or The , .Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits