In memoriam: Michael Connelly

Michael J. Connelly, an investment banker who specialized in communications transactions, died Dec. 9, after a lengthy battle with cancer. A resident of New York and Greenwich, Conn,. he was 55.

Connelly worked at The Carlyle Group, first as a managing director and then as a senior advisor to the private equity firm’s New York Telecom & Media Group. Prior to joining Carlyle in 2002, he held a number of senior positions over three decades at Credit Suisse First Boston, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, The First Boston Corp. and The Bank of Boston.

At Carlyle, he played important roles in a number of recent investments, including the Nielsen Company, Insight Communications, AMC Entertainment and Pan Am Sat.

“Michael was a great friend and a great asset to everyone inside and outside Carlyle,” said William Conway, one of Carlyle’s founders. “We will miss him greatly.”

During his career in banking and investment banking, Connelly worked closely with the late Steve Ross as he built a number of companies into Time Warner Inc. He was also instrumental in taking Russian mobile phone operator Vimpel Communications public. The company went became the first Russian company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

When not working, Connelly was known for his love of golf and The New York Times crossword puzzle.

Connelly was born in 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is survived by his wife Anne, whom he met when they were students at Georgetown University; two daughters and five siblings.

Services were held last week in New York City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Connelly’s name to Save the Children, 54 Wilton Road, Westport, CT 06880; www.savethechildren.org.