Date of Birth: August 18, 1937
Place of Birth: Clinton, Pennsylvania
Date of Death: July 5, 2021
Roderick “Rod” Francis Connelly’s contributions to the Taxidermy Trade was recognized by many leading taxidermists and industry professionals throughout his career. Whether he was hunting, fishing, his enthusiasm for nature and conservation was his lifetime ambition. He was at ease and respected by many family members, friends and associates during his life. He was a devoted family man and loyal friend to many. He was an outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish, and shared his knowledge and skills with his wife, Ella Mae, and three sons Aaron, John, and Brian. His son John said at Rod’s eulogy, “He was never shy to express his opinions on many subjects. I would say Dad had a unique “love language” that often reminded me of words like stubborn, direct, boisterous, and disciplined!! After you listened and learned to understand Dad, you couldn’t help but respect this man for his dedication to service and helping so many people during his lifetime. Dad was a generous man, offering his time and talents to many people when they least expected it.”
Rod became involved with the taxidermy trade early in his working life. The words his son John spoke during Rod’s eulogy carried through in all avenues of Rod’s life, especially the trade of taxidermy. He was innovative and talented in all phases of taxidermy, winning many awards at the Pennsylvania competition, NTA, and World Taxidermy Championships. Some of his numerous awards include: Best of Show, People’s Choice, Master of Masters, McKenzie Distinguished Service Award (2009), PTA Taxidermist of the Year Award (1992) and the NTA Award of Excellence. His taxidermy was highly respected and he served as a judge at many state and national competitions, and the World Taxidermy Championships®. Rod always was willing to teach and train anyone who desired to advance their techniques and trade knowledge and served as an instructor at many shows at his own expense.
In the mid 1970s Rod opened Bear’s Den Taxidermy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a pioneer in the emerging technology of freeze-drying and Rod soon became noted for his processes of producing high quality freeze-dry taxidermy nationwide.
He was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Taxidermists Association, serving on its board for many years, including the offices of vice-president and president. His service to statewide outdoor resources continued to expand when he was appointed to serve on Pennsylvania Governor Rendell’s Advisory Council for hunting, fishing, and conservation, which resulted in two 4-year terms. During this time he was also appointed chairman of the Pennsylvania Taxidermy Examination Board, which was the licensing authority for commercial taxidermists in the state of Pennsylvania. As Rod’s involvement and service continued to expand in the taxidermy trade, he accepted another position as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer for numerous years in the 1980s and 1990s.
For the last 13 years of his life, Rod was unable to walk due to complications from contracting polio at age 17. He never let this stop him from living life to the fullest as Rod and his power chair were consistently present at many conventions around the country.
One of Rod’s biggest contributions to the taxidermy industry was when he was appointed to the board of the National Taxidermists Hall of Fame Foundation (now called the Taxidermy Hall of Fame). The Foundation at that time had a physical location which was housed in a privately owned museum in Pennsylvania. When that museum closed, Rod was the leading proponent to find a new home for the Foundation and its assets, spending many years and a tremendous amount of time in his efforts. Another venue was found in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but that building was sold soon after moving into it. Rod continued his vigilance until his health reached a point where he realized a new board must be appointed to continue his work.
Rod’s lifelong efforts in the taxidermy trade, and his unselfish contributions to sustain public land and wildlife natural resources, make him a natural choice as a nominee for the Taxidermy Hall of Fame. The Pennsylvania Taxidermists Association recently established an award honoring Rod by presenting the first Rod Connelly Bronze Memorial Medallion to a distinguished PTA taxidermist who exemplified leadership, teaching individuals by lessons in his shop as well as state convention seminars. John Connelly, his son, stated, “Dad taught us well and our family. Ella Connelly, Aaron Connelly (Denise), John Connelly (Dawn Marie), and Brian Connelly (Erin) would be honored to know his legacy and ultimate achievements will be forever recognized as a member of the Taxidermy Hall of Fame.”
