Community rallies for family

Richard Connolly has faced his fair share of “bad luck” recently. It started with a hernia operation three years ago, followed shortly by a spinal-cord injury. 

The events made it impossible for Connolly to continue framing houses, so he wasn’t able to continue working, or continue paying rent at his family’s home.

The next move for Connolly, his wife and the three children living with him was to contact Sudbury Housing. Soon after, the family was moved to 241 Second Ave., where they began rebuilding their lives.

It wasn’t long after that tragedy struck again — on June 11, an improperly wrapped battery booster pack in the basement of the home began sparking, igniting a fire and taking everything in the home with it. Clothing, furniture, memories and everything else inside the four walls of the home were suddenly gone.

Since the family had no content insurance, they have been left to rebuild their lives by themselves.

“My three bad luck things (have gone),” Connolly said. “There is no where else to go but up.”

On Aug. 18, family and friends hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the family at St. Andrew’s Place, complete with live entertainment.

“I have a really good group of neighbours all around me,” Connolly said, thankful for the support his family has received. “The community is coming together.”

While the Connollys will be able to move back to their New Sudbury home eventually, it will take at least two months for the home to be rebuilt and cleared of all damages. In the meantime, the family is staying at a motel.

“My wife is very tired,” Connolly said. “She’s not sleeping the best. The kids are really missing home, their friends and their beds.”

While their living conditions may not be ideal, Connolly is most worried about his kids returning to school. Of the three living at home, two will be beginning school again this fall.

“My biggest concern is being able to have enough funds to get my kids back to school in September,” he said.

Replacing vital items like clothes and educational supplies has to happen, but it is only part of the rebuilding process the family will undergo. Connolly said it was “heartbreaking” to lose years of Christmas decorations, photos and other mementos.

“Everyone is telling me not to worry,” he said, “but it’s hard to not.”

Anyone interested in helping the Connolly family is welcome to do so. There is an account set up in their name at TD Banks where donations are being accepted. The transit number is 37162 and the account number is 04566448385.