Joseph H. Donnelly of New Hope, PA died on Friday, August 31, 2012, at St. Mary Medical Center, Langhorne. He was 73.
He was the beloved husband of Patricia Donnelly for 52 years.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Thomas F. and Dorothy I. Stackhouse Donnelly.
Mr. Donnelly was a resident of Buckingham Springs for the past 15 years and formerly lived in Warrington. He graduated from Mastbaum High School in Philadelphia, Class of 1956. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He started his career as a draftsman at Progressive in Philadelphia before being employed by Daglee Seating Company. Later he went to work for Fogel Refrigerator as the Engineering Manager dealing with commercial refrigeration.
For over ten years, he was employed as a school bus driver for First Student in New Hope, formerly Romano’s, his final work position and the one he enjoyed the most. He was very proud of keeping “his kids” safe. One of the best stories he told was of small children waiting for their older siblings to get on the school bus. One little boy would give him the Power Ranger salute each morning as his brother boarded the school bus. At the same time, the kids already on the bus would just yell the little brother’s name.
He was very upset when St. Martin of Tours school closed last year as he had driven that bus run for over five years and wouldn’t see some of “ his kids” again.
He was an avid golfer and a member of the Neshaminy Valley Golf Club and also played at several other golf courses in the area.
Joe and Pat traveled to almost all 50 states and he especially loved the river cruise on the Rhine last October. But the most pleasure and fun he had in life was being with his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed as a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his four children; Kathleen T. Murphy and her husband, Edward, of Sellersville, PA, Joseph H. Donnelly Jr. and his wife, Jeannie, of Southport, FL, John M. Donnelly of Chalfont, PA and Judith P. Fistler and her husband, Thomas, of Horsham, PA. He is also survived by 3 brothers and his 7 loving grandchildren; Shane, Brian, Colin, Kevin, Chris, Kimberly and Kelly.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, from10:30 AM until his Funeral Service 12:30 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 East Butler Avenue (Route 202 and Sandy Ridge Road), New Britain, PA 18901. Interment will follow at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1626 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.