Hilary L. Donellan

"Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6. Hilary Lanier Donellan died peacefully at his home Monday, March 28, 2011, surrounded by the three women of his life: his beloved wife, his loving daughter and his devoted granddaughter. Born Jan. 15, 1926, in New Orleans, he was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, a graduate of Catholic High School, Class of 1942, a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Nicholson Post 38. An electrician, he was a member of IBEW Local 995, and for many years, an active member of the IBEW 995 Retirees Club. In 1963, he found a way to combine his lifelong love of baseball with his desire to help children by becoming a coach in the American Legion Baseball Program. For the next 10 years, he coached D League 9- to 11-year-old boys, teaching the fundamentals of the game, as well as good sportsmanship. Hilary chose his teams' colors of orange and black in honor of his beloved CHS. After he "retired" from coaching, he continued to serve the baseball program for several years as a member of the executive committee. Dubbed by his neighbors as "Mr. Mayor" in 1995, he became the unofficial mayor of Fairwood Estates Garden District. Hilary was a good neighbor, always willing to assist anyone in need. He, along with his wife, hosted many neighborhood parties, including the FEGD Mardi Gras "Krewe Without a Clue" parade. Hilary was predeceased by his parents, James A. and Ellen Donellan; two brothers, James "Jimmy" and Terry "Jug;" and a sister, Helen D. Gayle. He is survived by a sister, Jeanette Stephens. He leaves behind his best friend and cherished wife of 59 years, Rose. One rarely saw Hilary without his "Rosie" by his side. They had two children, Kathleen "Kathy" Donellan Taylor and spouse, Ray Taylor, of Gilbert, Ariz., and formerly of Baton Rouge, and Vincent "Buzz" Donellan and spouse Paulette Phelps Donellan, of Central. His pride and joy was his grandsons and their families: David A. Cornette Jr and spouse Erin Scardina Cornette, of Baton Rouge, Steven M. Donellan and spouse Christina Stephens Donellan, of Auburn, Ala., and Brandon S. Donellan and spouse Steph Donellan, of Brandon, Fla., and Michael R. Taylor, of Dallas; great-grandchildren, Ashton Cornette, Kyle and Layla Grace Donellan and Riley Donellan. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and other family members and a wealth of good friends who will miss him dearly. He was an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. Visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., on Friday, April 1, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Ave., Saturday, April 2, from 12:30 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. Burial with military honors at Greenoaks Memorial Park. The family will receive relatives and friends at a reception to follow at Greenoaks Life Celebration Reception Center. His family wishes to thank the caring staff of Hospice of Baton Rouge. Though brief, our time together was so tender and meaningful, and thanks for the expert care given by the physicians and nursing staff of Oschner Hospital ER, and the staffs of second and fifth floors, Feliciana Home Health Nurses and HHAs, especially Tammy, RN; Shemetria, HHA; and Rusty, PT, and to Home Instead's caregivers, Angela, Jane and Tameeka. You made it possible for us to make Hilary's last days as comfortable as possible. Special thanks to Khiet Ngo, our Eucharistic minister from Our Lady of Mercy, who gave Hilary and our family spiritual support and comfort, especially in his final hours. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations in support of Catholic High School, Our Lady of Mercy Building Fund and Hospice of Baton Rouge.