William Donnelly, Sr.

WORCESTER - William C. Donnelly, Sr., 79, died Monday, July 23, 2012, at the Christopher House in Worcester. He is survived by a daughter, Karen J. Cox and her husband Richard of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and their children Derek and Mason; two sons, David A. Donnelly and his wife Mary of Oxford and their children Ryan and Shannon, and Kevin D. Donnelly of Charlton and his daughters, Devin and Danielle; three great grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Lenore Donnelly of Alexandria, VA, and Theresa Donnelly of North Oxford; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Gibree of Worcester. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Joyce E. (Madison) Donnelly who died in 2009; his son William C. Donnelly Jr. who died in 2006; and two brothers, Raymond E. Donnelly and John A. Donnelly. He was born in Worcester, the son of the late Raymond E. and Catherine A. (Kender) Donnelly. He graduated from Worcester Boys Trade High School in Worcester and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Donnelly was a Postal Operations Service Examiner for the U.S. Postal Service in the Boston region primarily motorizing delivery routes throughout New England. He retired from the Marlboro Post Office as Superintendent of Postal Operations in 1996 after over 35 years of government service. Mr. Donnelly was an avid sports enthusiast and took great satisfaction in coaching sports and developing players. Coach Donnelly touched many lives of young athletes in the Grafton youth programs, as well as Pop Warner Football and baseball. He even threw in a couple of years as a springboard diving coach at Holy Cross, teaching from his days diving at Sunset Beach in Shrewsbury. Of his own personal achievements, he treasured his time golfing with his sons and friends. He enjoyed reminiscing of his time as a quarterback for the Worcester Boys Trade undefeated teams and as a semi-pro football quarterback for the Worcester Beavers. He was an avid ten-pin bowler and qualified for the Professional Bowler Tour. Private ceremonies will be held after cremation. Burial will be at All Faiths Cemetery in Worcester, where he will be united with his loved ones. The family would like to thank the special people who work in the Putnam Unit at the Christopher House and the Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester for their hospice care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472. Paradis Funeral Home in Oxford is assisting with the arrangements.