Obituary of Stephen Donnelly

Stephen E. Donnelly a retired truck driver, passed away after a long battle with cancer at his home with his family at his side on Sunday morning, June 12, 2011. He was 63 years old. Steve was born in Cambridge, the son of the late Albert and Enes Donnelly. He grew up and was educated in Cambridge and Arlington. Steve was a great athlete at Arlington High School playing on the baseball team and captain of the hockey team. He would later share his love his sports with his sons as both a hockey coach and baseball coach for 15 years. He also umpired little League Baseball games after his sons were older. Over the years he was a faithful fan of the Bruins, Patriots and Red Sox. Steve served in the Air Force for 4 years during the Vietnam War. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award. Following the war he worked as a truck driver in the transportation industry. He retired from St. Johnsbury Trucking, but had previously worked for Yellow Freight, New Penn, and Roadway. In his retirement he enjoyed working part time at National Lumber in Newton. Steve was the husband of 39 years of Sheila (McNamara). He was the loving father of Stephen E. Jr. of Billerica, Michael & his wife Kerrie of Chelmsford, and Jillian Patt & her husband Robert of Woburn. He was looking forward to seeing the birth of his first grandchild in the upcoming weeks. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday June 16 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Steve’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.