Richard (Rick) E. Donnelly of Bluffton, South Carolina, formerly of Vero Beach, Florida and Plandome, NY has passed away at the age of 85, on October 2, 2022, after a brief illness.
Rick was born December 1, 1936, in Flushing, NY, to the late Dorothy (née Rickard) and John E. (Jack) Donnelly. He was the eldest of three siblings, followed by his brother Kevin and sister Meredith. When Rick’s father, Jack, died in 1947, Rick (at age 11) took on responsibilities far beyond his years.
Rick attended St. Mary’s H.S. in Manhasset, NY, and graduated from Tuft’s University in 1958. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy as a Combat Information Center Officer aboard the California-based destroyer, USS E.G. Small DDR838. Rick traveled the world and made many lifelong friends during his time in the U.S. Navy. After completing his Navy service, Rick married his high school sweetheart Patricia (Pat) A. Hurley, and together they raised four sons.
Rick’s working career was in the nascent computer industry as a computer systems architect, automating two Wall Street Municipal Bond Brokerage Firms – J.J. Kenny and Chapdelaine & Co., retiring in 1999. His community service included the United Way Fund, the Plandome Manor (NY) Planning and Zoning Committee and – in retirement – the Vero Beach Planning and Zoning Board. Rick proudly served as Commodore of Manhasset Bay Yacht Club where he and Pat and their sons have many happy memories.
His lifelong love of boating started with building sailboats as a teenager and continued throughout his life. Rick’s family enjoyed many boating adventures around Long Island, New England and beyond. Rick loved photography, was an avid reader, and he adored his grandchildren.
Rick was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Pat, and is survived by his four sons — Brian (Amy) of Long Island, Kieran (Kate) of Vermont, Mark of Long Island, and Patrick (Christine) of Long Island, and eleven grandchildren — Liam, Owen, Lily, Richard, Mary, Kieran, Cara, Caroline, Meredith, Dilyn and J.J., along with his brother Kevin Donnelly and sister Meredith (Malloy).
A funeral mass will be held at Church of Saint Mary, Manhasset, New York (where Rick and Pat were married) on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 10:15 a.m.
In-lieu of flowers, please donate to the Church of St. Mary’s annual fund.
