Michael James Donnelly

Mike was born in Elizabeth, NJ on May 28, 1955. He was raised with his three brothers and sister in New Jersey and Miami. On March 21, 1981, he married Janet Lee Rogers, who would be his wife and best friend for the next 40 years. They relocated to Riverdale and eventually Fayetteville, Georgia, where they raised two children - Alycia Marie and Michael Sean.

Mike was a craftsman. He could create anything out of wood and repair anything that needed fixing. He owned a woodworking and home remodeling business for many years. Mike eventually became the Shop Production Manager at a commercial millwork company and, recently he brought his talents to their father and daughter home restoration company. He was guided by the quality of his work and believed in taking care of things around him. This craftsmanship extended to his proudest build - his family. Mike loved family. He believed in relationships. He was the only person you called because he always answered and knew what to do. He brought the family together to celebrate holidays and birthdays, literally building the tables at which we sat.

Mike loved camping, oldies music, Elvis and The Beatles, Chevys, staying “busy”, chit chatting about the latest Discovery or History channel TV shows and classic cars - especially Fiona his 1968 Firebird.

Mike is survived in death by the family he built, including his wife Janet; his children, Alycia and Michael; his brothers, Danny and Bobby; his sister, Eloise; and his grandchildren, Bailey, Jake, Owen, and Allie.

We encourage all to attend a Celebration of Life Funeral Services on Sunday May 17, 2020 at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory in Peachtree City, GA. The service will be set-up to accommodate restrictions on social distancing. From 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, during the visitation we will all enter the chapel to be with Mike and family at the required 6' minimum social distance (masks will be provided). The Funeral Service will be held from 2:00 pm. The parking lot area will video broadcast the service so guests can feel comfortable viewing in the chapel, parking lot, or in their cars. Services will conclude at the funeral home.

A separate website, www.michaeljamesdonnelly.com, has also been set up in which the eulogies and video of the service can be posted to after the services are over.

In Lieu of Flowers, you may make a donation to the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity or Salvation Army in Mike’s name.