John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 9, 1944, of Patrick J. and Mary E. Donnelly.  He died on December 2, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital after a brief illness.  He attended Immaculate Conception Grade School in Tulsa, Subiaco Academy High School in Subiaco, Arkansas and graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1966.

John entered the Naval Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned in February, 1967.  Between then and his release from active duty in February, 1970, he served as a junior officer on the Destroyer USS James E. Kyes (DD 787) deployed August 1967 to April 1968 to WESTPAC.  For 12 months beginning January 1969, LT (jg) Donnelly was part of the Market Time Operations in the Republic of Vietnam. After 4 years in the Navy reserves, John completed his military service with the Navy rank of LT.  John received numerous medals and commendations during his military career including the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Korea, a Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, a Combat Action Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

John attended Georgetown University Law Center and graduated in 1973.  In November 1971, John married Margaret ("Peggy") Machado of Bristol, R.I. whom he loved with all his heart until the day he died (his words).  John was selected as Law Clerk for Chief Justice Charles House of the Connecticut Supreme Court for the 1973-1974 Term. He worked as a junior prosecutor for the State of Connecticut and in a civil trial law firm in Connecticut.  He joined the Legal Department of Hilti, Inc. in February, 1980.  As senior legal counsel, he played a vital role in the company for 36 years until his retirement in 2016.

In 1987 John was ordained a deacon for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tulsa serving at his home parish, the Church of St. Benedict, Broken Arrow, where he and his family have been members since 1980. While serving as a deacon, John obtained a Master's Degree in Pastoral studies from Loyola University.  He also served as adjunct faculty member of Newman University for the pastoral studies institute of Tulsa, an off- campus extension of the university.  He assisted the Diocese of Tulsa in various educational and ministerial programs, not only at his home parish, but also at other local parishes.

John was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Fr. Timothy Donnelly O.S.B.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy, and their five children, Erin Michos M.D. and husband, Demetrius of Clarksville, MD; Meghan Donnelly of Dallas, TX; Patrick Donnelly PhD of Chico, CA, Timothy Donnelly and wife Marci of Livermore, CA; and Brian Donnelly of Tulsa.  He is also survived by his three siblings:  Michael Donnelly and wife Lois of Venice, FL, Robert Donnelly and wife Sandy of Foley, AL; and Mary Penick and husband Giles of Tulsa, and two grandchildren, Alexander Michos and Micah Donnelly.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 PM on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 at the Church of St. Benedict.  A rosary will follow at 7:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, Dec. 11 also at the Church of St. Benedict.  Burial will follow at Floral Haven Cemetery.

In honor of his memory, donations may be made in his name to Subiaco Abbey, the Church of St. Benedict endowment fund or the St. Benedict Mission of Hope.

Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500