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Connollys were an ordinary family with a history worth telling: daughter

Jane Coxon has collected photos and artefacts from her family's three-generations in Collingwood and has put them on display at the Collingwood Museum.

A third-generation Collingwood woman has put her family’s history on display at the Collingwood Museum.

Her father, once the curator of the museum, often joked about being part of the relics on display, and now Jane Coxon (nee Connolly) has put her father’s photos among other family artefacts behind glass as this month’s collector’s exhibition.

The Connollys came to Collingwood in 1903. Coxon’s grandfather, Dr. Ethan Leo Connolly and his wife Ethel, purchased the Douglas Drug Store (129 Hurontario Street) and kept up his work as a doctor. The family lived above the drug store. Dr. Connolly’s medical bag is part of the museum exhibit.

They moved to Collingwood with their son Ethan, Joseph Harvard (Coxon’s father) was born in 1904, Ewart was born in 1911, and Charles in 1914.

All four boys attended Collingwood Collegiate Institute.

Ethan was a well-known athlete in high school. Later in life, he built a family cottage off Long Point Road.

Fourth son, Charles was also a sports star who made a name for himself in golf. His trophies are in the display case at the museum. He was inducted to the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.

Third son, Ewart, was the subject of a local tragedy when the tow-behind glider he built with a friend crash-landed on its maiden voyage with Ewart as the lone occupant. The Connolly son was taken to Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, but died moments after the crash.

Joseph Harvard Connolly married Jean Shipley in 1941. His career was split in half with 21 years as a drugstore clerk in his father’s store, and 21 years at the Enterprise Bulletin newspaper as a proofreader, circulations clerk, reporter and columnist. He also did many illustrations for advertisements, special sections, and other parts of the paper. At the end of his career, he was museum curator for three years.

Connolly was known around town as “Doc,” and known for his humour and artistic talents.

Aside from Joseph’s work, he was a musician in several local bands playing the trumpet and the drums, but it was his passion for the community that stands out most in the mind of his daughter Jane Coxon.

“He was very proud of being a Collingwood resident,” said Coxon.

Coxon describes her mom being comfortable behind the scenes. She was an active member at All Saints’ Anglican Church where she could be found at any church event in the kitchen washing dishes.

Her mom was an avid bowler, and was even part of the winning team at the Ontario Senior Games one year. Her mom was also an accomplished seamstress. She sewed the curtains for the Chi-Cheemaun that were in place for its maiden voyage. She worked sewing curtains for Trott’s furniture. Jean was one of the first several people to hike the whole Bruce Trail and joined the list of “end-to-enders,” with her friend and co-hiker Florence Mowbray.

Jean also became an active member of Girl Guides of Canada when Coxon joined as a child. She was a volunteer with a 45-year career with the organization. Coxon is well on her way to meeting her mother’s service record.

“Anything that you find printed about Collingwood, there are no Connelly’s mentioned,” said Coxon. “They were thoroughly involved in the community … with doing their ordinary everyday things, they were there for people.”

She is proud of her family history, and said it’s important to the history of Collingwood.

“Their story is woven into the fabric of the town,” said Coxon.

Coxon has prepared a presentation on her family to deliver on April 24 at a museum reception for the collection on the Connolly family. The event begins at 7 p.m. The exhibit on the Connelly family is available to view at the museum now.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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