Pat was a friend of mine for many years. We met through business, and developed a real friendship. Pat was a man that was as honest as the day was bright, very religious and a loving family man. I will miss his friendship, and his perpetual smile. May he rest in heaven with his beloved wife, whom he missed greatly. I am blessed to have known him. Rest in peace Pat.

This is what I posted on Facebook when I learned about my Uncle Pat passed on to his eternal reward.

My Uncle Pat died yesterday. I have known few men who worked so hard, sacrificed so much and gave of himself everyday sharing the love of Christ. Here is what I think about my Uncle Pat.
In my eyes Uncle Pat was a great man.

He was too humble to ever say or even think such a thing – but those of us who knew him did. He was a servant. A servant of God. A servant of Christ. A servant to his friends, his family, his customers and his community. He lived his faith in a way that was unmistakable, obvious and so reflective of his love for people, his family and his Lord.

He will be missed by all of us whose lives he touched. But let's not be too selfish - he is in the presence of God and the light of his life – our Dear Aunt Terry.

Uncle Pat always inspired me to think about my faith. I wonder if he might like it if all of us examined our own hearts and maybe asked an important question - maybe the most important question anyone could ever ask – a question I know Uncle Pat answered for himself and one I think he also thought was very important and wanted others to consider.

Do I know Jesus?

Jesus said that no greater love has a man than this – that he lay down his life for his friends.

Well, we know how Uncle Pat laid down his life for his friends and family. He did so in many ways for so many of us.

For me he was always a loving Uncle whose patience, kindness, concern and good humor was a source of great strength and inspiration. When I was a boy he encouraged me to be diligent and devoted. As a young man he encouraged me to be a servant and to follow Christ. As a father I could look to Uncle Pat as a model of sacrificial love - a model that I can only hope to barely follow.

When my Father, his younger brother died now 6 months ago, Uncle Pat led the way in helping me with the details - he gave of himself and resources, as he always did, and along with his brothers and sister, helped give my Dad a decent memorial and burial.

Uncle Pat modelled diligence, devotion, servant hood and generosity. But his life was about more than these. His life was about Christ. And whenever I thought of Uncle Pat, I would see Christ. I think Uncle Pat would want us to consider this question.

Do I know Jesus?

I know Uncle Pat did. Not only did he know Jesus – he modelled Jesus. He invested sacrificially in his family, in our lives, in the lives of his customers and friends and with all he came into contact with.

In his wake we now celebrate his “home-going”. A friend, brother, uncle, father, and much more we celebrate the memory of his life. We celebrate the model of his life.

At this time of year, Christmas, we also celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jesus, like Aunt Terry, was the light of and in Uncle Pat's life. A light that shone brilliantly in his acts and words and service and sacrifice. It was my great privilege to be his nephew and to be the recipient of his kindness, compassion and love.

I don't think Uncle Pat would want us to compare ourselves with him, though. He was too humble.

It's a good thing too, because I, for one, would fall woefully short. But he would want us, I think, to ask that question – do I know Jesus?

I'm glad to say that I do know Him. Jesus. The light of the World. What about you?

Could we have a better model of Jesus on earth than Uncle Pat? Yes Uncle Pat, like all of us, was a sinner, imperfect. But like Christ, he served people with a sacrificial love and heartfelt compassion. He might have said that he was able to serve us only because of the love that he carried with him that came through the grace and forgiveness of the one who died for him - the one who offered himself as a sacrifice for all of us – the one whose birth we celebrate at this time – Jesus.

Jesus was Uncle Pat's Lord and Savior. He also wants to be our savior, our Lord - if we will have him. He can be our savior and our lord through by faith. This was the faith that Uncle Pat modelled in a way that inspired me and that I aspire to. I doubt I will ever achieve the level of service and love that Uncle Pat showed. But fortunately to know Jesus we don't have to.

Yes of course we should try to. But Jesus doesn't demand perfection. He was perfection and came to sacrifice himself for our sake because we could never attain perfection.

The Jesus that Uncle Pat followed is willing to accept each one of us for who we are and where we are - all He asks is that we believe in him. Just like Uncle Pat did. As we live out our faith, our belief, we can look to Uncle Pat as a model. And with Jesus help we can aspire with hope to live a life as full and fruitful as our dear friend, father, uncle and brother, Uncle Pat.

The Bible tells us that it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesian 2:8

What a great gift we had in Uncle Pat who has now gone to his reward. He was a wonderful living gift that we enjoyed so much and will miss very much. He has left us precious dear memories, a life to remember and an example to follow.

Jesus is a great gift too. Jesus is a gift that we can still accept. And He offers a gift more precious than anything we could imagine - if we are willing to accept Him. Uncle Pat accepted him. I have. I think Uncle Pat would want us to, don't you?

My prayers and heart go out to the Donnelly family in this time of need, my your Dad rest in piece.  Hank I am so sorry for your lose, I didn't know your Dad but I do know that he raised a good, caring thoughtful son who I am proud to have as a friend. 
Vinny and Bianca Sgaglione (Lynbrook, NY)

Dear, Hank, Jason and Kathy, I am so Sorry to hear about Uncle Pat Passing, he was one of the Best men in the World, I was so Honored to Have him as my Godfather, I will miss him so much, But I know he is with Aunt Terry, I was Blessed by God to have them as my Godparents. I am sorry I cannot be there to say good by to him, I am having a hard time writing this through my tears, God Bless all of you, Much Love Terry

My condolences to the Donnelly family, I've got many fond memories of Pat at St. Patrick's Div. 2, May He Rest In Peace and May You and Your Family Find Peace in this time of Your Loss.

I am so sorry to hear of Patrick's passing.  I have very fond memories of our family visits to see our Donnelly cousins.  How happy I am that we had a recent family reunion and got to spend the day sharing memories.  Patrick, you will be missed by so many.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Our deepest sympathy,
Mary (Reilly) and Haakon Reinertsen
Ridgefield, CT

OBITUARY

Patrick J Donnelly Jr.

August 15, 1934 – December 17, 2013

Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home

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