William F. Donnelly

Attorney William F. Donnelly, 85, of Manchester, NH died October 9, 2009 at the Hospice House in Concord, NH following a period of declining health. He was born on October 2, 1924 in Manchester, NH the son of the late James and Margaret (Davitt) Donnelly. He was raised and educated in Manchester. Mr. Donnelly was a graduate of St. Joseph High School. He graduated from St. Anselm College in 1950. He attended Portia Law School, currently New England School of Law in Boston, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1957. During World War II he served in the US Army. He was a paratrooper with the 101st airborne division. Mr. Donnelly worked as an attorney and trail lawyer in Boston for many years before retiring at the age of 81. Bill was an alter boy at St. Joseph Cathedral as a child. He was president of the Holy Name Society in Massachusetts. He was also part of the Catholic Mens Group which he ran with his wife. He was very involved with his church St. Mark's in Dorchester and St. Ambrose also in Dorchester while he lived in the area. In 2005 he moved back to Manchester to be closer to his family. Attorney Donnelly was a member of both the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Knights of Columbus. He was an Alumni of St. Anselm College. Bill will always be remembered for his great sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ann (Flanagin) Donnelly of Manchester; 5 daughters, Margaret Donnelly-Patas of Raymond, NH, Bernadette Donnelly of Florida, Kathleen Story of Manchester, NH, Madeleine Halsey of Manchester, NH and Ruth Ann Steffen of Manchester, NH; 14 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Brendan Donnelly who died in 1989. His Memorial Mass will be celebrated at. St. Joseph Cathedral, Corner of Pine and Lowell Streets, Manchester on Friday at 10:00 AM. You are welcome to gather with the family at the church from 9:00 to 10:00AM. Burial will follow at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations in William's memory can be made to the Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, PO Box 1797, Concord, NH 03302.