Vincent William Donnelly

Vincent William Donnelly passed away peacefully on his 87th birthday, December 9, 2025, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was born on December 9th, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Thomas Francis Donnelly and Martha Meta Martinkat. His life was marked by devotion to family, steady strength, and a generosity of spirit that touched everyone who knew him.

Vince was a proud alumnus of Boulder City High School in Boulder City, Nevada. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Mathematics in 1960, an accomplishment that set the foundation for his long and distinguished career as an Actuary. His profession brought him back to the east coast where he took a position at the Aetna and met the love of his life, Mary Kelley. They were married in a blizzard on January 16, 1965 in Hartford, Connecticut. In April 1966, they welcomed their first child, Sharon Catherine Donnelly. Two years later they were elated to bring home twin boys, Michael Thomas Donnelly and Matthew John Donnelly. Vince’s career moved the family to St. Louis, Missouri in 1970 where they spent five years before moving back east to Northern Virginia in 1975.

Vince served proudly in the Connecticut National Guard for 6 years while balancing his job and growing family. Upon successful completion of rigorous exams and specialized training, Vince became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in 1967. His career spanned over 38 years where he worked at Aetna, ITT Hamilton Life Insurance Company, General American Life Insurance Company and the American Council of Life Insurers where he retired in 1998.

Beyond his professional life, Vince was deeply committed to his community. He was always ready to lend a hand, offer support, or step forward when something needed to be done. His generosity wasn’t just a trait — it was a way of living, reflected in the countless people and organizations he quietly helped over the years.

Sports were one of Vince’s great joys. He was an avid golfer who loved the challenge of the game and the friendships it fostered. A lifelong baseball fan, he held a special place in his heart for the Brooklyn Dodgers, the team of his youth. He proudly served as an usher at UVA sporting events, greeting fans with warmth and sharing in the excitement of every season. Vince loved to travel and his happy place was Graeagle, California, in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains where his parents had retired and near his sister in Reno, Nevada. He and Mary traveled across the United States visiting many National Parks and landmarks. He had a deep passion for Ireland where he had a strong connection to his Irish heritage. Their final excursion together was on an Alaskan cruise — the trip of a lifetime.

Vince is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 years, Mary Kelley Donnelly, and his three children, Sharon Donnelly Yarborough (Robert), Michael Donnelly (Chris) and Matthew Donnelly (Kathy). He was a proud grandfather to Marissa Donnelly, Mitchell Donnelly, Matthew Yarborough, and Kelley Yarborough, each of whom brought him immense joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Martha Donnelly, as well as his dear sister, Marilyn Johnson.

A Mass to honor Vince’s life will be held on Friday, January 9th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Charlottesville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause close to the family’s heart.

The Donnelly family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses and entire care team at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and Hospice of the Piedmont, whose tender, attentive care helped ensure Vince’s final days were marked by dignity, comfort and peace.

His presence will be profoundly missed, but his spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched.