John Robert Donnelly Sr.

John Robert "Bob" Donnelly Sr., 82, of Dayton, OH, a former longtime Weirton, WV resident was greeted by Jesus on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord; he was surrounded by his loving family. Born February 20, 1933 in McDonald, PA, he is the oldest child of the late Hugh and Erma (Horvath) Donnelly. Bob was also preceded in death by his 8th child, Joan Marie Donnelly on August 6, 2010, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Bob was baptized at St. Paul Catholic Church and a graduate from St. Paul Grade School in Weirton. He was a natural in sports, played baseball, basketball and made the varsity football team freshmen year. Bob graduated from Steubenville Catholic Central in 1951. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 18, 1952 and did basic training at Indian Town Gap, PA. He served as an Army medic, also known as "doc" the one the soldiers depended on, in the Korean War during 1952-1953 in the 7th Infantry Division and in the G Company with the 31st Infantry Regiment. Young Donnelly saved lives, comforted the wounded and gave hope. He fought at the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. His tour extended in Korea to April 1954. Bob knew after surviving the war that God had a special plan for him, the beginning of Bob and Rose's beautiful long journey began, married June 26, 1954. Bob was selected to Airborne Training at Ft. Campbell, KY, 1954-1956, was a master jumper, then stationed in Augsburg, Germany from 1956-1959 with the 11th Airborne which dissolved into the 24th Infantry. In 1959-1960 he was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg, N.C. His awards include: Sr. Parachute Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Medic Badge, Korean War Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, two Bronze Stars and Letter of Commendation. He retired from the U.S. Military in 1986 with 26 years of service, 8 years active duty Army and 18 years Naval Reserves Hospital Corpsman. Bob proudly worked in the Weirton Steel Mill for 32 years, many years in the IE Dept. then later as a recording clerk in the Blast Furnace. He was a golfer for the IE League and won many trophies. Bob was an active member of St. Paul Catholic Church, humbling serving his parish as one of the first Eucharistic Ministers chosen from the Northern Panhandle with a commitment to the sick in the hospital, a reverent altar server and church lector with a gifted voice. He was a PTA member and a Korean War Veteran guest speaker at St. Paul Grade School and Madonna High School. Also, at St. Paul he founded the Moral Compass Program (20 years) and taught flag etiquette. With the support of the Knights of Columbus, Bob restarted the Rosary Rally that took in all area parishes and started the John F Kennedy speech contest for grade schools. Bob is a lifetime member of: Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 2716 and Korean War Veterans Association Ohio Valley Chapter 70. His fidelity and service to family, faith and patriotism will have an impact on others forever. In 1969 Bob was awarded Weirton's Father of the Year, the large family was known as the Donnelly Clan with eight girls and one boy. He was a family man that believed the family that prays together stays together. He enjoyed having masses with the local priests at his home and inviting friends. He loved his wife and kids and believed in family traditions such as holidays with loved ones, family dinners, trips to the Amish and family vacations to Disney and the beach. He also enjoyed: cooking on the grill, sitting on the porch, reading, visiting his children/grandchildren, looking forward to the Clan coming home to the "nest", and watching the Steelers/Pirates/Penguins/Notre Dame games together as well as, teaching sports to his kids/grandkids and attending their activities. In his younger years he was a runner, Bob ran along the streets of the Weirton Steel Mill with his daughters, track runners. Everything he did was about his family. He was a proud father and Rose Mary was his world. They were blessed; they found the one their soul loves. If you knew Bob you heard a story about one of the kids or the family. No one was a stranger to him. When he walked in a room people took notice; he had a million dollar smile. He was a true Irishman, an authentic story teller with a great sense of humor, loved playing practical jokes on the kids, a heartfelt writer and a teacher with towering intellect of geography, genealogy, heritage, history, maps, medical terms and religion. He was devoted to the Passion of Christ, Blessed Mother, the rosary, praying for souls and living the beatitudes. Bob was always finding ways to help others without recognition, delivered unwanted furniture from homes to families in need, bought bake goods from Gus's Goodies to make others smile and visited the elderly. Bob's children knew their dad had a generous heart and worked hard, but he always managed to make any day feel like a Saturday. The children sang when returning home from family vacations/outings "God Bless the Bus Driver". He is an example to us all. He is a HERO! The Best DAD Ever! Bob is survived by his soulmate, the love of his life, best friend, adoring and loving wife Rose Mary (Giglio) Donnelly (62 years of marriage) and their eight children Joy (Don) Smith of Buffalo, John Robert Donnelly Jr. "Bobby" (David Stoneback/partner) of Orlando, Dr. Diana Donnelly-Roberts of Gurnee, IL, Kimberly (Steve) Brown of Crownsville, MD, Kerry Donnelly of Orlando, Lynne Hileman of Greenville, SC, Beth (Rob) Arvey of Baltimore and Mia Donnelly of Dayton. Bob is affectionately known as PAP to his fifteen grandchildren: Bradley and Ryan Hileman, Megan and Katie Roberts, Zachary (Heather), Danielle and Courtney Smith, Carolyn, Emily and Nat Brown, T.J. and Xavier Donnelly, Sofie and Max Donnelly Heiden (Joan's children), and Robbie Arvey; and one great grandchild, Lawrence Menard, plus many step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins, family and friends. He is also survived by his brother Richard (Sandy) Donnelly and two sisters Cheryl (Tom) Capek and Debbie (Larry) Savage, plus family-in-laws Peter (Barbara Newman) Giglio, Val (Linda) Giglio and Christina Costain. Bob will be greatly missed by all! A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 11th at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Weirton with the Reverend Father Larry Dorcsh as celebrant. Interment with military honors will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Follansbee. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Paul Catholic Church, 140 Walnut St., Weirton, WV 26062, American Heart Association https://donatenow.heart.org/ or charity of your choice. Funeral Home: Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV US 26062