Connolly, Dennis

Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD '17). Connolly passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at the age of 81. He was born in Wagga Wagga, Australia on January 1, 1944, and brought up, along with his three younger siblings, in Sydney by his mother Patricia and father Patrick. After an Honours degree in Mathematics at Sydney University, Dennis was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship for his Masters degree at Western University in London, Ontario. On his way back to Australia, he applied to the new University of Lethbridge.

Dennis began teaching at the UofL in September 1967, retiring in 2021. Over the course of Connolly’s career, he taught more than 36 different courses (a total of 225 classes) in the Math department to both undergraduates and graduates — teaching more than 10,000 students in total. His accolades were many, including recognition as the Students’ Union Excellence in Teaching Award winner in 2019, the 2009 Senate Volunteer Award, an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2017, and the honoree of the 2019 Wine & Dine: Arts & Science Scholarship Dinner. In 2017, as part of Homecoming Weekend and the University’s 50-year celebrations, Connolly was gifted the Blackfoot name Itiiomaahkaa, which fittingly means "Long Journey".

Dennis lived a rich, full life with joy and enthusiasm. He was always positive, energetic, cheerful, generous and considerate. Parkinson’s Disease slowed him down physically over his last years, but did not dampen his zest for life, for projects and research. His love for his students, his friends, and above all, his family remained as strong as ever. Dennis will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered by many, many people on three continents (Australia, North America (Canada), Europe).