William G. Connelie, Formerly Of Sag Harbor, Dies October 15

William G. Connelie

William G. Connelie, formerly of Sag Harbor, where he had lived for more than 30 years, died in Greenport on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. He was 98.

Mr. Connelie was a former superintendent of the New York State Police, and had a long career in law enforcement. He served in the New York City Police Department from 1946 to 1975, working his way up from patrolman to assistant chief. During his tenure he received 13 citations for meritorious service. He was appointed by Governor Hugh Carey as superintendent of the New York State Police, serving from July 1975 to July 1983.

Mr. Connelie attended Manhattan College from 1938 to 1939. He also attended John Jay College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 1972 and a master’s degree in 1981. He was also a graduate of the National Executive Institute in 1979.

Mr. Connelie was a guest lecturer at Yale Law School, John Jay College, Northwestern University and Iona College and served on the advisory board of Hudson Valley Community College.

He was national chairman of the Combined Action Reduction Effort, the national chairman of the Police Traffic Services Committee, a member of the advisory board of the National Crime Information Center and a member of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Committee.

Mr. Connelie was a veteran of World War II, serving as a navigator in the Army Air Corps from January 1942 to October 1945. He was a retired major of the U.S.A.R.

He was a member of the American Management Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the New York State Chief’s Association.

Locally he was a member of the Sag Harbor Knights of Columbus and the Chelberg Battle Post of the American Legion.

Mr. Connelie was predeceased by his wife, Marie. He is survived by their children, Joanne Auer of Ridge, Marianne Williams of North Carolina; Nancy Morris of Maine; and Clare Decker of South Carolina; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visiting will be at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in Sag Harbor on Thursday, October 17, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Services will be on Friday, October 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church in Sag Harbor, with interment following at the church cemetery.