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Posted by Wendy (69.22.232.70) on 18:03:29 06/10/13
Dear Loons,
It is with great sadness that I report the death of a wonderful man, Brian Connolly. Many of you knew him from years past - he was a Yellowstone enthusiast, a wonderful writer and a gentle soul.
I met him through John Uhler - he was one of those people you just immediately like. Funny, warm, generous and intelligent. He loved watching wolves, but even more than that, I think he loved sharing his love of wolves with Yellowstone visitors. In summers past, he would spend hours - all day, really - on one of the low hills south of the Hitching Post pullout watching the Druids in the rendezvous or the Middle Flats, or up on the den hills. He kept a step ladder near his scope so he could more easily show kids the animals in his scope. In summers he was such a fixture out there, that we now call it Brian's Hill.
Alas for us all, he contracted cancer. He fought it for years, and survived far longer than had been predicted. He wrote novels for young adults, good books, in which he conveyed a respect for wildlife and wild places. His most recent is "Alphie, A Yellowstone Wolf Pup".
The last time I saw him was in early April at Hellroaring pullout. He had managed another trip to the Park with the help of some close friends. He died peacefully in the lovely town of Bend, Oregon, surrounded by his loving family.
He will be missed, but I know that Allison will take good care of him. Talk about kindred spirits!
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