Thomas Kelly Donnelly, 87, passed away Saturday, October 5th, after a long illness. He was born in Pueblo, CO on January 31 1932. He graduated from South Gate High School in Los Angeles, CA in 1950 and joined the Army the following day. He served in the 11th Airborne as a paratrooper from 1950-1953. After his discharge he enrolled at Los Angeles City College to study engineering. After two years, he transferred to the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, graduating in 1958.
In 1959, he married Patricia, his lifelong partner. Tom and Pat settled in Colorado. His engineering degree led to work with 3M as a uranium prospector and then with the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (CF&I) as an industrial engineer. In 1966 he moved to a management position in Massachusetts. He received his MBA in 1968 from Western New England College. He worked for the next 30 years in the steel and/ wire industry, retiring in 1998. Shortly thereafter he started a second career in education. He taught math at the St. John's School in Deep River, Ct, for the next 15 years.
Tom was an avid cyclist. He trained daily and undertook annual trips with his brother Bill. Their treks included Moab, the Oregon coast and the Civil War Trail. A big part of his life were his dogs Callie and Sam, and more recently Annie. Their daily walks supplemented his gym regimen. Most weeks would see him at the Y 5 to 7 times. He never did anything halfway.
Tom was predeceased by his father John and mother Eileen, his daughter Seaneen Kelly, as well as his sister Betty Woehrle & brother John (Jackie). He is survived by his beloved wife Patricia and sons Daniel and Thomas (Holly), as well as his grandchildren Finley and Hunter (all of Madison CT), brother William (Joan), sister Patricia (William), both of Los Angeles California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday October 18th at 11 a.m. St. Mary's Church in Clinton, CT. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in his name to the Boys & Girls Club of America.
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