Final Salute

Connery, John “Bud” SCHENECTADY On the darkest day of the year, Tuesday, December 21, 2021, the world got a little darker and the deer and trout of the Adirondack region all breathed a little easier with the unexpected passing of John “Bud” Connery. John was born and raised in Troy and left to serve as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy, a service he was always proud of. While in the Navy he met Helen, his wife of 57 years in Rensselaer. John left the service to work for the New York State Department of Transportation until retirement, and then found a job he loved as a labor representative at the Public Employees Federation, where he happily worked until he retired a second time. An avid fisherman and in theory a hunter of deer (but more truly a fan of drinking beer and sleeping in a cabin), John was a man of uncommon moral conviction which earned him the ire of some, but the love of many. There was no fiercer friend, no better ally, and no better father. He was a protector and teacher to his children, Lorraine Ann, Mary Kathleen, and Sean Michael – did I mention he was proud of his Irish roots and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians? He was often seen there massacring a song on either a concertina or a harmonica. His repertoire of songs, jokes – and dirty limericks – was the envy of many. He is survived by his entire immediate family, making this possibly the only time that he was the first to leave a party. His company will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bud’s family on Monday, December 27, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Masks are required for everyone. Please only enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you please donate to the Jimmy Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in memory of John’s friends and family that have lost their battles with cancer. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com