John Donnelly

John Joseph Donnelly

On Tuesday,  11/28/2017, the eldest child of Thomas and Gertrude’s six children went to his eternal rest. Born in the Bronx, NY, he moved to NJ as a child and lived in Kearny, Newark, and several other cities before settling at his home in Brick, NJ. He was a lifetime railroad employee, beginning with Penn-Central,  then Conrail and Amtrak. From freight yards to passenger trains, to conductor, with over 40yrs experience doing what he loved, retiring in 2015. He was a life-long sports fan, who spent many a day watching his beloved NY Yankees and Jersey Giants with friends. In younger years he was an avid  softball player for teams in Union County. He proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the U.S.S. Constellation as a young man during the Cuban Blockade/Missile Crisis. Later in life he was very generous to various Veterans groups, and was a member of American Legion Post 1000. He was a man’s man, and friend to so many. Predeceased by his parents, and brothers Arty, Charlie and Robert, he is survived by his only son, Victor Donnelly, his wife Grace and his grand-son, John Joseph, and countless friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

The funeral is from the Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ on Monday at 10 am.  Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. Visitation will be on Sunday from 1 to 5 pm.