Bill Connolly Isn't Santa or a Serial Killer
A retired former salesman, Connolly often can be seen walking around Hopatcong. But he's about more than the Kris Kringle beard.
You probably know Bill Connolly. But you might not know it.
There's something that the 67-year-old who often walks around Hopatcong wants you to know, though.
"Other than not being Santa Claus, not being a serial killer and not being a drunk," he said, "that's what I want out there."
Connolly has lived in Hopatcong for about 30 years. And while he's made many friends through Byram Bay Christian Church—he even represented the church during the Memorial Day parade—the Hawthorne native might be best known for his long white beard, scuffed New Balances and penchant for strolling down Hopatcong's main arteries instead of driving to his destinations.
Connolly doesn't have a car but he doesn't mind.
"I am poor," he said. "There's no doubt about that."
But with Connolly, there's more than what meets the eye.
Connolly started visiting Lake Hopatcong when he was a child. His grandparents, he said, used to trek up to the lake in a motorcycle and sidecar and camp for days near River Styx.
A former software salesman, Connolly retired in 2009 after a rupturing a quadriceps after slipping on ice in Dover. An avid non-fiction reader, he has a master's degree in marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Hackensack.. And he's got a 48-year-old daughter, Emily, whom he said jokes with friends that he dated Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry, with whom he want to high school.
Growing up, Connolly was a part-time athlete who enjoyed basketball and track. He also enjoyed working on cars.
Which could be considered ironic since he can often be seen walking through the borough. Connolly said that though he's faced criticism and even danger—once, a man, who Connolly said seemed intoxicated, pulled over his car and threatened to fight Connolly—he said the criticism doesn't get under his skin.
"It's noticeable," he said. "But I can't really say I get upset about much though."
Jean Burk-Ujvary
10:56 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
Thnx Brendan for sharing Bills story. I often see him hitch hiking around town, now I will stop and pick him up. I hope other residents will also
Lurky Loo
10:56 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
What a nice story! I am going to wave to him when I see him walking and maybe even offer him a ride, now that we know he's not a serial killer ;)
Jessica
11:12 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
We used to think he was Dracula when we were younger. He lived down the street from me and we always saw him walking. He had long dark hair and wore a long trench coat. Mostly we were stupid little kids afraid of our own shadows. Lol. Now he is just the nice man that walks every where.
elizabeth disbrow
11:12 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
I always smile at him when i see him even though i didnt know his story.im glad now we know his side.
STH22
11:12 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
I too have seen him hitch-hiking on Lakeside. It is a little scary to pick up a stranger what with all the stuff you hear on the news, so I am happy to know him through this story, because now I feel better about stopping to give him a ride. Thanks for this nice story.
Edubb
11:42 am on Monday, July 2, 2012
I have given this guy a ride a few times. I have seen him out as far as Ledgewwod. He lives right on Lakeside Blvd, he is a nice guy. Always very thankful.
Nicolas
12:08 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Santa with a DD coffee.
wow
12:15 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
You guys all make a good point. Next time I see someone hitch-hiking, I am going to stop and ask him if he is a serial killer, if he says no I am going to give him a ride.
JenniferB
12:15 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Great story! Nice to know about the man behind the beard. :-)
Alan Gibeau
3:21 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Good article, however, this does not answer the question that I'm sure plagues everyone's mind... Why does he only wear red?
Chiefschick
3:49 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
He really is a nice guy, I have given him rides before he changed a flat tire for me outside of his apt years ago as everyone else just sped by .... Good guy that gives back to the community always ! People are to judgmental everyone should nominate him for a free used car from automotive magic
john flex
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
this man is awesome he has the secret to happiness. bill connolly is a good guy.
Lake Dweller
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Great story.
Rich Smith
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Good story and I think Bill will have quite a few more friends from it. This is real Hopatcong stuff and I love it. I have a friend who now lives in PA but whenever we talk she asks me about “The Hitch-hiker” Well, mystery solved.
T Simms
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I remember when he was thumbing a ride wearing business suits. An curious site with his long hair and full beard. I liked this story. It's nice to know those people you often see about town. From the response this article has generated, looks like others feel the same.
GoChiefs
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Nice enough guy...but hitchhiking is unsafe for the driver the hitchhiker and other vehicles. If he reads this he should hitchike near a good spot to pull over in. Maybe a Good Samaritan or a few will give their number to him, in case he needs a ride to where he can’t walk.
The Watcher
10:31 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I know people who said they gave him rides 20 years ago when he was hitching. They said he was a nice guy, so was he hitching all this time?
Roll Back Our Tax
8:55 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Go Chiefs....I agree. Before you go around picking up any hitchhiker in Hopatcong or anywhere else be aware of your surroundings and be an "informed citizen".
New Jersey law authorizes the Division of State Police to make available to the public over the Internet information about certain sex offenders required to register under Megan's Law. The sex offender Internet registry law can be found in the New Jersey Code at 2C:7-12 to -19.
There's a site put out by the NJ State Police that lists all the sex offenders by name or geographical area (see link below).
https://www16.state.nj.us/LPS_spoff/geographicsearch.jsp
This link below is just the names for the ones located in Hopatcong. There are (3) with some using a alias.
https://www16.state.nj.us/LPS_spoff/findDriver
I'd rather be "street smart" than "street dead" plus I am not insinuating any thing about Bill by posting this comment.
jazzman
11:52 am on Tuesday, July 3, 2012
hitchikers in general dont excist anymore,I would say Bill`s the only one left of his kind,he`ll stand there until you offer to pick himmmm up,and i`ve been there done that many times with him ,who we now know as Bill....you really dont have to be hitchicking to experience the nuts that are out on the roads today,you cant drive or walk two feet before encountering them
Kim C.
5:44 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
I pass him every morning with my 5 yr old son & tell him "see...santa sees all & knows all! He is watching you so you better behave!" Lol !! But now that i know his real story i will wave to him & tell my son "santas watching you!"Lol
Frazure
10:20 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I've lived here for 35 years and have spotted Bill here and there around town and wondered what he was all about. Nice story.....you should do a follow up.