{"id":3357,"date":"2017-04-27T15:26:19","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T19:26:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/floridanewsline.com\/Clone2\/?p=3357"},"modified":"2017-04-27T15:26:19","modified_gmt":"2017-04-27T19:26:19","slug":"get-know-joe-connolly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/floridanewsline.com\/Clone2\/first-coast\/get-know-joe-connolly\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know … Joe Connolly"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Elaine Omann<\/em>
\nmail@floridanewsline.com<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Entering the Mayo Clinic Hospital through the doors of the Cannady Building, you may hear piano music \u2014 and sitting at that beautiful baby grand piano could be 93-year-old Joe Connolly, who volunteers. He still drives himself to volunteer and has a special parking place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Connolly came to Jacksonville from Detroit when CSX moved him here in 1980; he worked for the railroad until he retired. He was married for more than 30 years and is also an accomplished runner.<\/span><\/p>\n

People in scrubs walk by him and wave. Those who sit, waiting, listen as he continues to play music.<\/span><\/p>\n

1.How do you share your music and life with others?<\/span><\/p>\n

I play here and other places. Those who enter here often have heavy hearts and I want my music to give them relief. I often ask people what they want to hear and I play that.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. What is your favorite song to play?<\/p>\n

I like \u201cFunny Valentine\u201d and \u201c<\/span>Clair de Lune<\/span>.\u201d I like the sad songs \u2026 they are the best to play. People most often ask for \u201cSomewhere Over the Rainbow\u201d and \u201cSentimental Journey.\u201d I carry this notebook with songs I know and can play.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Why do you like this particular piano? What other instruments do you play and when did you become a musician?<\/p>\n

I was in World War II as part of the 745th Army-Air Force Band. I went in as a musician and never did basic, or overseas duty, or combat. I played saxophone. I learned music from my mother and know music by ear. I am a Gold Card member of the American Federation of Musicians. There is no piano better than this Yamaha baby grand. I also played saxophone and anything with a reed. I once played in big dance bands.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Could you talk more about yourself as an athlete?<\/p>\n

A lady made this scrapbook for me and shows the races I have done \u2014 more than 1,000 races. I once had a heart attack at the end of the Hart Bridge and I went back to that spot later and stomped on it with my feet and kept on running. I also played baseball in my hometown and then for the Braves in Boston. I played at Fenway with the Green Monster. <\/span><\/p>\n

5. What is your next goal or ambition?<\/span><\/p>\n

I have a big ego. I do this and I do that, and I am not humble. I plan to live to be a 100.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo by Elaine Omann<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe Connolly<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Elaine Omann mail@floridanewsline.com Entering the Mayo Clinic Hospital through the doors of the Cannady Building, you may hear piano music \u2014 and sitting at that beautiful baby grand piano could be 93-year-old Joe Connolly, who volunteers. He still drives himself to volunteer and has a special parking place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[10],"class_list":{"0":"post-3357","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-coast","8":"tag-get-to-know"},"yoast_head":"\nGet to Know ... 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