Tommy, you were such a dear friend to me, especially when I worked with you in the Raleigh office.   Whenever I was stressed out at work you were quick to show your support & make me laugh.  You  took life in stride & always had a smile on your face.  I will truly miss your gentle spirit.  Rest easy in the arms of our Saviour my friend.

Dear Tommy, my heart was heavy and sad when I found out last Saturday that you passed away. We were hoping to come to pay our respects but Craig (husband() preferred to wait until the NC Deaf Bikers Club so their memory bike ride since you were into motorcycles and all that. Since we moved to Texas, we haven’t seen much of you but our memories of you were some of the best memories we have. I would laugh every time you asked me if my mom was single. I would laugh if you asked my friend Noel Velez was single. You were such a big flirt!!! I remember when I wanted to kill you when Craig texted me says he needed my co-sign signature on a new Harley Davidson V-Rod. I asked him via text why all of a sudden he wanted a motorcycle because he never mentionedit before. Then I asked him if Tommy was there....a very very long pause before he answered “yes”...Tommy lived at the intersection near my house. Boy, I was fuming mad!! But now I look back at that memory and I laugh. I told Craig it seemed more sense for him to join the NC Deaf bikers club on their memory ride for you in your honor. Thank you for being the usher in our wedding. You are in a lot of my wedding pictures so we’ll be able to carry the sweet finds of our friendship as time goes by/and every time we look at our wedding pictures. I am truely going to miss you very much! You were a favorite friend of Craig’s that I loved the best. Rest In Peace my troublemaker 😂❤️

My heart is heavy realizing this special man, my cousin, has left us so soon.  I find solace in knowing Tommy is at peace and shall suffer no more.  I am happy he was a part of my life, and we shared some good memories.  The photos I have shared were taken during one of those 'good memories' at his Grandmother Donnelly's old homestead in the beautiful mountains of NC.  I will miss you Tommy, but you will always be close at heart. This is me with my beloved cousin and his sister, Shirley.


TO THE FAMILY OF TOMMY DONNELLY

MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO ALL.  I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. TOMMY WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY ALL THAT HAD THE PLEASURE TO KNOW HIM.

WILL NEVER FORGET OUR TIME AT THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE PLAYING CARDS AND GETTING LOUD! TOMMY HAD A VERY BIG HEART FOR ALL.  WAS SOME GREAT TIMES WITH YOU SHIRLEY AND JANE AND TOMMY.

YOU ARE ALL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS TIME.

Tommy had many loving and faithful friends.  I was one, and we met when we both lived on Washington Street in Raleigh.  For many years there was a small group of us:  Faye, Jane, Richard, Tommy, Bobby - just to name a few, that shared a small part of our lives with each other.  As things go, after a while our life journey departed into different directions.  Be as it may, I have never forgotten Tommy; his love of playing the guitar, his trying to teach me sign language, his love of animals, that contagious smile and laugh, and most of all his true friendship and the yellow van he loved so much.

To all of Tommy's family, I am so very sorry for your loss.

Such a shock  to  know Tommy is gone  wow  hitting me pretty hard on this . We  grew up in school together  and one of the things  he would do is  whistle  knowing I could hear that  . Like  every time  walking down the hall if  he saw me there  he would  go to get my attention is  whistle  . Over the years  we met  on and off at  some functions like homecoming  [ that was a fun time hanging ] a  rally  [ he  got me to speak with people regarding that rally when at first I just wanted to be a bystander ] then  a visit to his home  [ wow  did not  realize how far it was  when  following him smiles ] we just sat and  had  a nice  talk  so  will miss  that  yet this was  quite some years ago . Losing ones  from cancer is  brutal  as  I have lost a few  and  it never  ceases to break my heart when one goes  yet  God needed  another  Angel to take home so  fly high my  friend  you always  will be loved  ......

Tommy, we will miss your sense of humor.  "How is you?"  We enjoyed laughing, telling funny jokes and playing with "Deaf" words and signs with you..  You were a wonderful friend.  Love and lots of hugssssssss  Donna

Those who mean the most to us
Are never really gone.
For in our thoughts and in our hearts
Their memory still lives on
So may you find that passing time
Can somehow help to heal
Those memories will ease the loss
And sorrow that you feel ...

Love and prayers for all.

Farewell my dear friend and old classmate @ NCSD...You are greatest missed by all of us...Angel Tommy.
May God comforts your family  in time saddened with His shelter arms around your family with love...
You are well loved by so many many of us...Missed you...

Tommy with sisters, Jane and Shirley - He always had a smile on his face & loved family & friends.

Tommy & my daughter, Sharon, playing cards on a cold night in the mountains.

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Predeceased by his parents, Deronda & Barbara Donnelly.  Loving father of daughter, Ruth Donnelly Nicholson (husband - Nick) and son, Thomas Earl Donnelly, Jr.  Adored grandfather (“Papa”) of Kylie Alexis and Addison Brooke Nicholson.  Beloved brother of Jane Donnelly Compton (husband - Chris) and Shirley Donnelly Sorrell (husband - Jimmy).  Cherished friend to so many.

OBITUARY

Thomas Earl Donnelly Sr.

April 24, 1949 – March 17, 2018

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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