WEST Belfast man Declan Connolly was an authority on sports science whose expertise was sought out by leading athletes and organisations around the world.
The professor of physical education at the University of Vermont carried out cutting-edge research on fitness and nutrition and was a brilliant communicator of complex ideas to the general public in magazines and online videos.
His insights saw some of the biggest names in world sport seek his services, from the New York Jets American Football team to the US Rowing Organisation and English Rugby Football Union.
Declan himself also enjoyed competitive sport, from his days playing Gaelic football in Antrim to coaching rugby in Vermont and completing three gruelling Ironman competitions.
It was therefore a huge shock when a heart attack took his life aged just 55.
Tributes on both sides of the Atlantic have since reflected his many professional achievements as well as the impact of his larger-than-life personality on all he came in contact with.
Declan was born in west Belfast in 1965 and grew up in Glengoland with his siblings Cathal, James and Nicola, although he would suffer the loss of Cathal aged just 13.
He first enjoyed sporting success with St Paul's GAC, winning three successive minor county championships.
Alongside future Antrim stars Aidan Donnelly and Steven Mulvenna, the team also won the inaugural Ulster minor club championship.
Declan was a hard-running corner forward whose powerful build also made him an excellent skier and a national junior cycling champion.
At Jordanstown he played basketball and set up a surf club but he was also dedicated to his studies, earning a degree in sports science before embarking on a master’s at the University of Rhode Island.
He completed his PhD at the University of Oregon and worked for a time in Bangor in Wales but made his home at the University of Vermont (UVM), where he was appointed professor in 2006.
Declan served as program director of physical education and sports leadership and opened the college’s Human Performance Laboratory.
He was also head coach of its successful men's rugby team, and the ice hockey team all wore ‘Connolly’ on their shirts in a touching tribute following his death.
UVM Dean Scott L Thomas said he was a “true public scholar” whose work on exercise, injury recovery, muscle function, heart rate and ageing has implications for athletes across a variety of sports, as well as dancers, military veterans and the general public.
"He had a gift for taking complicated, technical, research-based information and sharing it in readily accessible, practical, and often entertaining ways.
"Dr Connolly’s theory that some athletes were 'too fit' in the wrong systems coincided with a critical approach to conditioning practices with a focus on injury prevention.
"His proposal that sports drinks needed to be differentiated on the basis of whether they were being consumed before, during, or after competition and suggestion that chocolate milk would be a great sports drink spawned a revolution - most notably the use of cherries and other dark berry fruit drink to treat muscle damage – which led to a billion-dollar industry.”
Aidan Donnelly, who was best man at Declan’s wedding to basketball player Shannon and spoke by video link at his funeral, said he was an all-action person who has left a huge mark.
“He was an extremely focused and ambitious individual and when he told you he would do something, you could be sure he would do it,” he said.
“He always had so many plates spinning, from his research work to his property and business interests and his five kids, but he was such an ebullient, unique personality and will always be remembered for his happy demeanour and big, beaming smile.
“He achieved so much but he always kept his Belfast accent and when he came home he was just the same ‘Deccy’ – he never forgot his west Belfast roots.”
Declan Connolly died suddenly on February 4 while conducting research in France.
His Requiem Mass was presided over by the Bishop of Burlington and began with almost two hours of eulogies, each prompting both laughter and tears in celebration of what Mr Donnelly described as "a full life, very well lived, with a rich and deep legacy".
His family also said he “lived life to the fullest” but always put them first.
“He was larger than life and showed us by his example how to live life.
“Declan was known to say “I have a great idea’. May each of us live our life with many great ideas in his memory.”
Declan is survived by his parents Charlie and Geraldine, sister Nicola, brother James, wife Shannon and children Kiaran, Fiona, Cillian, Nuala, and Cian.
