Richard J. Donnelly

Richard J. Donnelly, 95, passed away June 4, 2018. Visitation will be held from 11-12 pm Friday, June 8th at Visitation Parish, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, MO followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Richard was born the oldest of a close and fun loving Irish family to Eugene Patrick and Norine Quinlan Donnelly on May 23, 1923 in Kansas City, MO. As Norine was being wheeled in to deliver the first of their six children, she famously proclaimed "To think a kiss could lead to this." He grew up in Redemptorist Parish in a neighborhood full of Catholic immigrants attending Redemptorist grade school and Westport High School. At 19 years old and weighing in at all of 98 lbs. he entered the Army Air Corp in the Pacific theatre of World War II and thus was a part of "the greatest generation." After the war he came home and held various jobs culminating with him founding Donnelly Metals, Inc. in 1976, a company still owned and operated by his nephew, Patrick Donnelly. His first wife, Mary Glynn Donnelly was the mother of his 3 daughters though their marriage ended in divorce. He is survived by his wife, Nancy R. Donnelly, of Mississippi, and her sons; Mitch, Corey and Adam. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Eileen Zahner and her husband Andy, Nancy Jane Kraus and her husband Jim; a brother, Robert Q. Donnelly and wife Shirley; sister-in-law, Kathy Brown Donnelly; nephews, Brian and Steve Zahner; a niece, Lori Donnelly Martin and a great niece, Jacque Curry Moore. Richard is also survived by daughters, Marny Donnelly Sherman and husband John, Beth Donnelly Allen and husband Joe, Amy Donnelly and partner Eric Perowsky; grandchildren, Conor, Tim and wife Laura, Keara, Megan and Ryan Sherman, Holden, Arlet and Aidan VanHoutan, Sam, Max and Grace Allen; great grandchild, Myles Donnelly Sherman; brothers, Pat Donnelly and wife Julie, Don Donnelly; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to Richards caregivers, Hans, Louise, Sherree, Ron, Richard and Chris for the loving care given to their father during his illness. This allowed him to spend the last two years of his life in his home surrounded by family and all who loved him. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Redemptorist Church, 3333 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111.

Visitation Visitation Church

Friday, June 08, 2018

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

5141 Main StreetKansas City, Missouri 64113
Directions Mass of Christian Burial Visitation Church

Friday, June 08, 2018

12:00 PM

5141 Main StreetKansas City, Missouri 64113
Directions