Charles Ellsworth Connelly III, 33, went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, In Largo Florida, with his family by his side. He was born August 22, in Washington Township, New Jersey, he moved to Florida in 1996. He is survived by his mother, Janice Almand Fleischman; brother, Benjamin Fleischman; father, Mark Fleischman, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, along with many families and friends that he wholeheartedly loved, many of them which welcomed him with open arms into their families and homes.
He began his school years in Haddon Township, New Jersey and continued onto Riverview Florida, Elementary, Middle and High School. His younger years he participated in a wide variety of sports, Royal Rangers, Boy Scouts, played tuba, was vocalist, bassist and back up guitarist. Donations he personally made were used to create an area reconstructed for the youth at a church he attended, the now, New Hope United Methodist Church. He was in many clubs and Honor Societies.
He focused years on successfully preparing for a military career, becoming an NJROTC Cadet, participating in individual drill / drill team, to becoming Cadet Ensign, Administrative Officer and upon graduating Leadership Academy, became Academic Team Leader, then transferred as Charlie Companies Executive Officer and Drill Team Commander for both armed B teams as well as POA Cadet Lieutenant, a tragic accident ended his upcoming Army National Guard career, having already signed up with his recruiter, did his ASVABS, and MEPS was scheduled the same week of that tragedy happening.
His academic success awarded him a full Bright Futures Scholarship, he tried pursuing a medical career, with years at USF Honors, HCC & Technical school, he earned an AA degree, EMT, CNA certifications and various healthcare certificates. His injuries created further challenges, and him needing to choose other paths, just in the past couple years he began a career at Honeywell Aerospace, he was hoping to become management there, in the near future, he thoroughly enjoyed being part of the family there and was beyond happy with the direction his life was taking.
He had beautiful dreams that he wanted for his life and was so close to achieving them. Despite him not having the easiest of lives he shined so bright for others when they needed some extra light along life’s way. No matter his many struggles, he had a heart of gold, a truly beautiful soul, and wouldn’t think twice to give you the shirt off his back or try almost anything to make you laugh or smile. He knew all too well what it was like to be left behind and do without, his motto was “Learn to live with whatcha got”, he truly was a blessed gift on this earth. Charles wrote in his autobiography project that while him having the opportunity to change his last name, he considered himself as being named after his respectable grandfather and he kept his last name for that sake. He was proud to show his Irish heritage.
When he wasn’t hard at work, he’d be enjoying his friends, gaming, karaoke with Netflix 24/7 VIP’s, family, bass guitar, concerts, creating, brewing mead, cooking, posting crazy FB memes, loving his furbaby, Abigail, “Abby” cat, Charles also held various positions for years in the SCA, which was yet another, very special family of his, he shared so much of himself and was known as Lundvarr Dufgalsson, he loved being a SCA fighter, and training others to fight, craft from so many different materials and took great pride in sharing his mead. Because of the physical aspects he was no longer able to fight. He was an amazing, loving, funny son, dedicated, encouraging, loving mentor and brother to Benjamin, dear nephew, caring grandson, a fun cousin, an adored great grandson, and a beautiful, crazy funny, hearted soul to all his families, and those that knew him well. Everyone wanted to be around him. He will be so very missed and forever in the many hearts that truly loved him.
