Family background
John Joseph Connolly was born on 16 August 1891, in Australia, son of John Connolly and Ann. He married Margaret Peoples (1902-1939) 3 December 1924 in Paddington, NSW and there were two children, Brian and Moira. John Joseph Connolly died at a private hospital in Randwick, on 2 March 1943, aged 52 years; he was buried in the Roman Catholic Section of Rookwood Cemetery with his wife. John Joseph Connolly lived at 6 Raglan Street, Waterloo. He died intestate and after letters of administration his estate and assets were assessed at £861.
Occupation & interests
John Joseph Connolly was appointed as a storekeeper at Long Bay Gaol on 7 November 1922; he still held this position at the time of his death. In August 1935 Connolly was convicted at the Quarter Sessions of dual voting in the Waterloo Municipal elections of December 1934. Connolly was an organiser of the Trolley and Draymen’s Union. As Waterloo Mayor in 1924 Connolly indicated some Waterloo houses had been condemned as unfit for human habitation. Others were lacking basic amenities, without baths forcing residents to bathe in kerosene tins in the backyard. As a Labor alderman he had strong links with the union movement.
Community activity
John Joseph Connolly was a justice of the peace (JP).
Local government service
John Joseph Connolly was an alderman on the Waterloo Council in 1917-31 representing East Ward. He was mayor in 1920-21 and 1924.
References
‘Municipal Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald 3 July 1917 p. 5, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/15757118
‘Council Doings’, The Sun, 20 February 1924, p. 9: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/224564083