WHITESBORO, N.Y. — Colonel (U.S. Army) James D. Donnelly of Whitesboro, N.Y., peacefully went to be with his Lord Jan. 22, 2013, in the presence of his wife and children at the age of 92.
Colonel Donnelly faithfully served his country for 30 years and was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During his military career, Colonel Donnelly served as Director of the Electronic Warfare Lab, Ft. Monmouth, N.J.; Signal Corp. Battalion Commander, Panzer Kasern, Boblingen, Germany; Chief Signal Corps Officer at Headquarters, Berlin, W. Germany; Head of R & D at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. and Head of Operations Research at the Pentagon. Colonel Donnelly was the recipient of many commendations including the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone and the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of services and achievements.
Colonel Donnelly was born in Malone, N.Y. in 1920, graduated President of his class from Malone's Franklin Academy High School in 1939 and attended Georgetown University on a football scholarship, graduating with a B.S. in Electronics & Physics. Later he received his MBA from George Washington University. Colonel Donnelly was a tight-end on the Georgetown University football team and also played football for the famous Army Signal Corps Big Red One football team.
Colonel Donnelly is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy G. Donnelly; son, James (wife, Joanne) Donnelly Jr. of Granville, N.Y.; and daughters, Candace Donnelly of Whitesboro, N.Y., Lynda (husband, James) McNeil of Boulder, Colo. and Patricia (husband, Trevor) Williams of Catharpin, Va.; and six grandchildren, Catherine and James Donnelly, Annie and Brodie McNeil, and Jessie and Graham Williams. Colonel Donnelly is also survived by his brother, First Sgt. Patrick Donnelly, (WWII Purple Heart) (wife, Bertha) of Ellenton, Fla.
Colonel Donnelly will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the children of fallen patriots college fund in his memory (http://fallenpatriots.org)
Condolences may be sent to: www.piercefh.com
