John J 'Jack' Donnelly Jr

Name: John J. Donnelly JR.(Jack)
Age: 87
Date of Death: 6/3/2014.
Place of Death: Sedona, AZ
Resident of: Sedona, AZ
Date of Birth 02/12/1927 in New York City, NY.
Arizona Resident for 23 years, moving to Arizona from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Retired From Care Corporation in 1986 as the Vice President of Development and Planning

Jack, as most people knew him, was born near Yankee Stadium in New York to John J Donnelly SR and Lillian Donnelly-Frazer. Jack attended Harren High School just off Time Square and then graduated from Bushwick High School in Brooklyn in 1944.

Jack was accepted in the US Army Officer Flight Training Program he served in France and Germany at the close of WWII.

He returned from the war in Europe to attend Rider College in Trenton New Jersey. He graduated with a BS in Accounting completing his full degree in 3 years. He continued to attend school nights and added a Certificate of Management from New York City University.

Jack met his future bride, Margaret (Peg) Bollerman at a CYO Church Function in 1950. Peg beat Jack in Bowling on their 1st date and Jack did not ask for a 2nd date for 6 months. The 2nd date started a run of 64 straight nights of dating while Jack was holding down 2 jobs. They were married in 1953 and had a son John J Donnelly III in 1959.

Jack was employed by: Statistics Inc and Curtiss Wright in New Jersey and moved to Cleveland Ohio to accept a new position at Curtiss Wright. Jack accepted a position in 1966 to become the Vice President of Finance at Aeronca Inc in Middletown Ohio where he worked on projects involving the development of the Boeing 747 and Apollo Capsule involved in the Moon landings. In 1972 Jack moved the Family to Grand Rapids Michigan to become the Vice President of Finance for American Seating Company. In 1979 he became the Vice President of Development and Planning for Care Corporation where he retired from in 1986.

Jack served on many voluntary Boards to help enhance the business practices and operations of local golf and country clubs he belonged to as well as being credited for driving a project that took the Old Damn on the Thornapple River, in Michigan where they lived, and turning it into a profitable hydro electricity producing facility that benefitted all those in the area.

Jack and Peg retired to Sedona in 1990 and enjoy their wonderful friendships fostered in Arizona. Travel, dancing, golf, tennis, and sports have always been part of their very active lifestyle. Jack & Peg were very active in St John Vianney Church in Sedona.

Jack is survived by his wife for 61 years Peg, sister Betty Schiffer, his son JD & his wife Betty 3 grandchildren: Shasta, Chantell, & Brett along with 4 great grandchildren: Baily, Noah, Jillian, Annaleece.

In lieu of Flowers donations in Jacks name are being accepted at Northern Arizona Hospice & St John of Vianney.