William "Terry" McDonnell

Born on August 5, 1946, Terry was the son of the late Charles Ashton McDonnell, Sr. and Francis Theresa Doyle, and the brother of the late Charles Ashton McDonnell, Jr. He was the devoted husband of Cheryl Jean McGlade, his high school sweetheart. Their love story spanned a lifetime, and in June 2026, they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They were the perfect complement to one another and, above all, a team. Their relationship was built on love, partnership, and a deep understanding of each other. Together, they built a beautiful life, raised three daughters,

and created a family that was the center of their world. Through nearly six decades of marriage, they stood side by side, sharing life’s joys and challenges as partners in everything. Their enduring love and the life they built together were among Terry’s greatest accomplishments and will remain a lasting part of his legacy.

Terry was the proud father of three daughters: Emily (Bryan Stueben), Kara Mikita, and Christine (AJ Fairchild). He was also the loving grandfather of James Mikita and Katie Mikita, who brought him great pride and joy.

Above all else, Terry was a dedicated family man. Long before the term became popular, he was a proud girl dad, devoted to his three daughters and the family they built. His love and commitment to his family were central to his life, as were the traditions and simple pleasures that brought them together. He cherished his dogs, time spent in Florida and Maine, and cheering on his beloved Philadelphia sports teams. An avid hunter and fisherman, Terry found great enjoyment in the outdoors throughout his life.

Terry was also a respected, local, businessman of over 58 years whose career reflected his strong work ethic, loyalty, and commitment to excellence. For more than 33 years, he served as the primary owner of Doyle and McDonnell, Inc., Nursery and General Contracting, based in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Terry took great pride in his daughter’s working alongside him and continuing their family’s work together. Under his leadership, the company built a reputation for quality, reliability, and outstanding service. Terry took great pride in his work and always wanted the best possible results for his customers. His dedication earned him an extraordinary number of repeat residential and commercial clients, relationships that spoke to the trust he built and the integrity with which he conducted his business. He was equally loyal to his employees and vendors, valuing the people who helped make the company what it was. Throughout his career, he worked with multiple leaders of corporations and local home builders, reflecting the longstanding professional relationships he established over the years.

Terry was an active member of several professional and business organizations, including the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA), the ISA Penn-Del Chapter, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, and the Berwyn Devon Business and Professional Association.

Through his work and professional affiliations, he developed lasting relationships and made meaningful contributions to the landscape, nursery, and contracting industries.

Terry believed in service and giving back to his community. He served in the National Guard, was a member of the Lions Club, and served as a Trustee for multiple relatives and friends. He was also a member of the Company of Military Historians, where he served as committee member, reflecting his interest in military history and his dedication to preserving its legacy.

His commitment to his faith and church community was equally important. At St. Monica’s Church in Berwyn, Terry served on the Property Committee and volunteered as an usher for more than 40 years. Through these roles, he quietly and consistently gave his time in service to others.

Terry will be remembered for his enduring love for his wife, his devotion to his daughters and grandchildren, his loyalty to those who worked alongside him, his pride in a job well done, and the lasting relationships he built throughout his life. He leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, faith, service, and integrity that will continue through his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

A visitation will be held at Alleva Funeral Home, Inc. (1724 East Lancaster Ave, Paoli, PA 19301) on November 3, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A visitation will also be held at Saint Monica Church (63 Main Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312) on November 4, 2026, from 11:00 am to 11:30 am, followed by the Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30am. The burial is private by the request of the family.