1937
Gerald
2012
Gerald J. Donnelly
December 18, 1937 — May 13, 2012
Gerald Joseph Donnelly, 74
STRUTHERS - Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. today at the New Life Church, for Gerald Joseph Donnelly, 74, who passed away Sunday morning at his home.
Jerry was born Dec. 18, 1937, and raised in Struthers by Gerald and Julie Williams Donnelly.
He graduated from the Struthers High School, Class of 1956, which still enjoys yearly "planning" class meetings. From high school, Jerry enlisted and served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After being discharged in 1966, he worked at LTV Steel Company, retiring after 30 years of service.
Jerry was a talented "Shade Tree" mechanic. He owned and raced drag cars. He enjoyed building and working on all types of engines, which eventually turned into his other love of the water and his building of a California flat bottom speed boat named "Day Dream Believer." He also loved football and NASCAR racing. He attended the Daytona 500 with friends many times.
Summers were spent at Pymatuning Lake, always surrounded by family and friends. Vacations to Tidiute, Pa. and Berlin Lake turned to a 28 year vacation tradition to the Outer Banks, N.C., which is now a destination for more family and friends and can be counted with more memories of music and laughter. Geneva on the Lake became his second home in the recent summers.
Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Toman Luzik, on Sept. 30, 1961, and recently celebrated their Golden 50th Year Anniversary. This union brought three daughters and to his surprise, learned that his girls were his new sunshine, Sheri (Ron) Morris of Poland, Shelly (Brian) Seese of Columbiana and Shannon (Rocky) Zappia of Struthers, and his late night companions, Max and Abbie. Jerry leaves a sibling, his sister, Margaret "Peggy" Vidman. He also leaves five grandchildren and recently enjoyed the birth of his first great-grandson.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and a sister and friend, Mary Pat Schmid.
Jerry's life will be a celebration of his Irish heritage to be shared with his family and friends.
A Christian service will be held at the New Life Church, where family and friends may call one hour prior to the service and then followed at the home of Sheri and Ron in Poland.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to made to the Rescue Mission.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send the family condolences.
Arrangements handled by the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers.
STRUTHERS - Memorial services will be held at 5 p.m. today at the New Life Church, for Gerald Joseph Donnelly, 74, who passed away Sunday morning at his home.
Jerry was born Dec. 18, 1937, and raised in Struthers by Gerald and Julie Williams Donnelly.
He graduated from the Struthers High School, Class of 1956, which still enjoys yearly "planning" class meetings. From high school, Jerry enlisted and served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. After being discharged in 1966, he worked at LTV Steel Company, retiring after 30 years of service.
Jerry was a talented "Shade Tree" mechanic. He owned and raced drag cars. He enjoyed building and working on all types of engines, which eventually turned into his other love of the water and his building of a California flat bottom speed boat named "Day Dream Believer." He also loved football and NASCAR racing. He attended the Daytona 500 with friends many times.
Summers were spent at Pymatuning Lake, always surrounded by family and friends. Vacations to Tidiute, Pa. and Berlin Lake turned to a 28 year vacation tradition to the Outer Banks, N.C., which is now a destination for more family and friends and can be counted with more memories of music and laughter. Geneva on the Lake became his second home in the recent summers.
Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Toman Luzik, on Sept. 30, 1961, and recently celebrated their Golden 50th Year Anniversary. This union brought three daughters and to his surprise, learned that his girls were his new sunshine, Sheri (Ron) Morris of Poland, Shelly (Brian) Seese of Columbiana and Shannon (Rocky) Zappia of Struthers, and his late night companions, Max and Abbie. Jerry leaves a sibling, his sister, Margaret "Peggy" Vidman. He also leaves five grandchildren and recently enjoyed the birth of his first great-grandson.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and a sister and friend, Mary Pat Schmid.
Jerry's life will be a celebration of his Irish heritage to be shared with his family and friends.
A Christian service will be held at the New Life Church, where family and friends may call one hour prior to the service and then followed at the home of Sheri and Ron in Poland.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to made to the Rescue Mission.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send the family condolences.
Arrangements handled by the Davidson-Becker Funeral Home in Struthers.
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