Funeral services for James Edward Donnelly of Bradenton, Florida will commence with a viewing at 1:00 pm on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park (1221 53rd Ave. E, Bradenton, FL 34203). Following the viewing, a Celebration of Jim’s Life will begin at 3:00 pm. In accordance with Irish tradition, there will be a wake held at the Peridia Country Club in Bradenton immediately after the funeral. The Reverend Deborah Bayer will officiate the services.
Jim Donnelly passed away on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 in Sarasota, Florida at the age of 78. He was born on January 23, 1941 to Thomas and Eleanor Donnelly in Melrose, Massachusetts. Jim graduated from Wakefield High School in Massachusetts. After high school, he enlisted into the US Air Force and served for four years with a tour in Okinawa. In 1964, he married Ann O’Brien. They had three children, Cheryl, Jim Jr, and Kelley. Jim worked for Eastern Airlines for 20 years in Massachusetts, California, Alabama, and Texas. After retiring from Eastern Airlines, Jim took a job as the Director of the El Paso Civic Center and Tourist and Convention Bureau. Several years later, he took a job as the Director of the Seagate Center in Toledo, Ohio. After retirement, Ann and Jim moved to Bradenton, Florida. Jim loved reading, traveling, fishing, golfing, playing cards, and going to the casino.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Ann Donnelly; daughter Cheryl and her husband Greg Lusco of Pelham, Alabama, son James Donnelly Jr. of Bradenton, Florida, and daughter Kelley and her husband Daniel Gonzalez of El Paso, Texas. He is survived by ten grandchildren, Cassandra Fenn, Cory Fenn, Carly Fenn, Tyler Baisch, Payton Donnelly, James Donnelly III, Aaron Donnelly, Temo Gonzalez, Zoraya Gonzalez, and Amelia Gonzalez and two great -grandchildren, Isabella Donnelly and Noah Donnelly. He is also survived by his sister Betty. He was preceded in death by his parents; Thomas and Eleanor, his brothers Thomas and Richard, sisters Alice and Jan, and a grandson Christopher Fenn. Jim loved being” Bumpa” to his many grandchildren. Jim’s outgoing personality and great sense of humor was infectious and will be sorely missed by family and friends.
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