Brian M. Donnelly

January 24, 2023
DONNELLY, BRIAN M.

    PLEASE NOTE:  The Donnelly family has requested that all attendees wear a mask.  Thank you for your cooperation.

 

    Brian Michael Donnelly, 69, of Nashua, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 24, 2023, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center after a period of declining health.         

    Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1953, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Anne Marie (Jean) Donnelly. Brian grew up in Billerica, MA, and graduated from Billerica High School Class of 1971. An Army veteran during the Vietnam War, Brian was stationed in Berlin, Germany; Brian cherished his time in the Army Security Agency until his honorable discharge, serving from 1972 to 1975 and holding the rank of Specialist 5.

   For many years, Brian worked for several New England electronics industry companies in sales and purchasing, eventually settling at Benchmark Electronics in Nashua.

    A resident of Nashua since 1985, he previously made his home in Chicago, IL, and Wisconsin. In his leisure time, Brian enjoyed boating, motorcycling, music, cuddling with his two cats, and especially spending time with his beloved neighbors, family, and friends. Brian also enjoyed his time at Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains. Brian held membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 622 of Lowell, MA.

   Members of his family include his wife of 40 years, Barbara A. (Schreiner) Donnelly, whom he married on August 8, 1982; a daughter, Elizabeth A. Donnelly of Billerica, MA; two granddaughters, Emily Chamberlain and Isabella McLaughlin; a brother, Craig Donnelly of South Hadley, MA; two sisters, Anne Tanner and her husband David, and Denise Nicholson, all of Billerica, MA; brother-in-law, Thomas Schreiner and his wife Joanie of Wisconsin; his predeceased sister-in-law Theresa Brennan; nephews and nieces, Adam Nicholson, Shannon Nicholson, David Tanner, Jr., Robert, Patrick, and Michael Donnelly, Holly (Donnelly) Blanchard, Sarah, Michael, and Anthony Brennan, and Amanda and Timothy Schreiner.

    Family and friends are invited to his calling hours on Friday, February 3rd, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. A graveside service and Army funeral honors will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 47 of Billerica, MA. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

37 Comments on Brian M. Donnelly

Elizabeth Murphy-donnelly said : Guest Report Jun 24, 2024 at 9:52 PM

Hey Fashaa, It’s me your daughter Elisabeth.. I’m sitting here finding it hard to hold it together lately. I miss you more than I can comprehend. Life is so difficult without you. I miss being able to call you and you would always cheer me up no matter how bad I was feeling. I miss your jokes, endless jokes. Your granddaughters are growing up so fast. Emily is 13 - a teenager now ! She’s got my attitude, just like you warned me. Bella is 5 and still zipping around full of energy. I know you’re always with me, but yet I still feel so far from you. I keep your memories close in my heart and talk about you almost daily somehow someway with someone because I can’t find a conversation where you don’t come up. You were my entire life. I found someone who I wish you could have met, he’s one of the good ones dad. I finally found him 💕 He’s so much like you, and it keeps your spirits alive. I hope your rocking the clouds up there and thank you for all the beautiful sunsets 🌅 Until we meet again dad, I’ll love you from down here big guy 😘😘 I love you lots like dippin dots 😂😂 “ Fashaa can you hear me” good old Austin Powers 💕

Charles Garrison said : Guest Report Mar 28, 2024 at 10:10 PM

I served with Brian in the US Army. We were friends, stationed together at Ft. Devens and in Berlin. I was trying to reestablish contact with him and just found out about his passing, It sadens me that we weren't able to get together again and even more that to hear about his passing. May God Bless his family.

Scott & Karen Cassista said : Guest Report Feb 20, 2023 at 8:37 PM

We didn’t know you all that well but when we were together Brian was always such a happy and positive person. Our hearts go out to you Barbara. May he Rest In Peace🙏🏻

Arielle V said : Guest Report Feb 03, 2023 at 11:12 PM

Thank you for being my friend and neighbor. I will miss you dearly. ❤️

Steve and Lori said : Guest Report Feb 03, 2023 at 8:03 PM

Heaven gained one of the good ones. We’ll miss your positive outlook and ridiculous jokes at our monthly cousins gatherings. Our thoughts and prayers to all your loved ones..

Cathy Schuyler said : Guest Report Feb 03, 2023 at 2:40 PM

I was truly honored to have your friendship all these years, you are one of the "GOOD" guys, always smiling and such a positive attitude, heaven is lucky to have you!! I will miss you and think of you often, especially when I hear a good Dad joke!! You touched my heart in more ways than you will ever know. XXOOXXOO

Nancy Cogswell said : Guest Report Feb 03, 2023 at 1:28 PM

You will be missed by us all. See you on the other side for some soup.

Jamie Lakota said : Guest Report Feb 03, 2023 at 10:13 AM

Words can’t express how we felt about you. You were the best brother in law that I could ever had. You are always be part of my family life. Brian your laughter brought us all to smile and you have been very supportive and help others. Your sense of humor are what we all love about you. We will cherish these memories. It’s not a good bye. It’s until we meet again. I’ll miss you Brian I know I don’t see you since. Rest in peace. With love ❤️

Robert Donnelly said : Guest Report Feb 02, 2023 at 10:54 PM

Ughhh, i still can’t believe you’re gone. I miss you soo much but I know you’re looking down on all of us from above, smiling, and sending your positive vibes to help us get through this one. I will never forget all the family functions where you always lifted us up with your “dad jokes” and contagious big smile. Or even the times we shared going on the boat, going to the Funspot arcade, and the moments we had at your house where me and pat would just run around for hours and have soo much fun, there’s soo many memories, too many to list on here but nonetheless every moment spent with you was priceless and I wouldnt trade them for the world. You may be gone but you’ll never be forgotten. R.I.P Uncle Brian🇺🇸🕊️

Craig Donnelly said : Guest Report Feb 02, 2023 at 10:49 PM

I will never forget you brother. I miss you and love you soo much. Your my only brother and without you a piece if me will always be missing. Till we meet again <3 <3 Have fun playing cribbage with mom and dad, keep them company and let them know I love and miss them as well.

Tim Chamberlain said : Guest Report Feb 01, 2023 at 4:13 PM

Brian. I remember like it was yesterday.... All the funny jokes,the laughs to the crying that you get from laughing to hard haha,the warm spirit that u brought to any holiday or family gatherings and most of all the love that you had for your family and friends is what made you who you are. Brian may you rest in the sweetest of peace until we meet again.. P.S I will never forget you

Barbara Marion said : Guest Report Feb 01, 2023 at 9:43 AM

So sorry for your loss, prayers for the family 💔🙏. He was a good man and he always brought laughs to the campground. Hugs

Donna Schenkel said : Guest Report Feb 01, 2023 at 7:26 AM

It hurt my heart finding out you passed away. You always made me laugh at the family gatherings. You will be missed.

Patrick Donnelly said : Guest Report Jan 31, 2023 at 10:50 PM

Uncle, you were the greatest uncle I could of ever asked for always up for a good conversation and ready for a joke, I’ll never forget how I thought you were an absolute genius with guessing the number in my head and never understood it until I was old enough to realize it was basic math, now that is a trick I play on friends and extended family, I don’t know how to say goodbye but in the end it’s not a goodbye and more of a see you later. I will never forget all the good times we had at your house, on the boat, at the campground and most of all at family functions, I’ll miss you until we’re able to meet again Rock the heavens and keep the cribbage open for me ❤️

Tom Schreiner said : Guest Report Jan 31, 2023 at 1:19 PM

Brian was a great husband to my sister, a wonderful father and grandfather. He filled the room with sunshine. I will miss him dearly.

Cindy said : Guest Report Jan 31, 2023 at 3:59 AM

You’ve touched so many souls. You’ve made us all feel at ease, and laugh, always… I miss you!!!

Susan Brown said : Guest Report Jan 30, 2023 at 3:21 PM

Rest in Peace my friend. Your gallant efforts to make sure everyone was OK before you started that last leg of your journey was exactly a reflection of how you put others first. I will miss those puns and jokes but I have fond memories of a special young man who became a wonderful gentleman

Lin Lebrun said : Guest Report Jan 30, 2023 at 10:05 AM

"We knew little that day that God called your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our 💕 hearts to lose you, You did not go alone. For part of us went with you the day God took you home. You left us precious memories, your strength is our guide. And though we cannot see you, you'll always be by our side." Some day we'll meet again.

Tony Brennan said : Guest Report Jan 29, 2023 at 8:45 PM

I didn’t know Brian very well, but what I did know of him is that he was a kind man. He will be missed.

joseph brian donnelly said : Guest Report Jan 29, 2023 at 12:55 PM

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind always be at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face,and rain fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May god hold you in the palm of his hands I remember when you bought your first covertible and came to my fathers house and took me for a ride.will never forget that and will never forget you Rest In Peace my friend you will be missed

Kevin and Maureen Tracey and Family said : Guest Report Jan 29, 2023 at 12:55 PM

Brian your stories made Christmas Eve so special for many many years. We will always think of your warm spirit, especially during the holiday season. Love you!

Sam Brainerd said : Guest Report Jan 28, 2023 at 11:49 AM

Brian Donnelly was my next door neighbor in South Billerica from 1954 until about 1958. Around that time a photographer from the Lowell Sun came along and spotted Brian, my brother, and me -- all blond boys wearing white tee-shirts -- and took a photo of the three of us lying prone on the grass, each eating a peach he had given us. I think the photo made the front page of the Sun. He was a nice kid.

Raymond Lebrun said : Guest Report Jan 28, 2023 at 8:30 AM

Brian, you were one of a kind. A man who always had a smile and always put a smile on our faces. Thank you for being a part of our lives. You will always be a friend, brother, and still in the top 5%. Rest in peace.

Caddy Em said : Guest Report Jan 27, 2023 at 6:43 PM

You never appreciate the people that have been in your life from the start until you cannot talk to them anymore. The solace I can take is that I got to have adult conversations with my Grand Uncle. There are so so so many “should have, could have, would have,” I could say. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change what caused the reflection in the first place. I will absolutely miss your relentless optimism and sunny disposition. Even with one foot before the presense of God, you were still saying how you were gonna recover enough to have a drink of the La Hacienda. Spin a record, sip a margarita, and enjoy wherever you may be now. You deserve to rest easily. Thank you for being in my life! Shine on you crazy diamond. By the way, say a “Ahoy!” to George Carlin, would you? I could only imagine the legendary conversation you two having currently…

Denise Nicholson said : Guest Report Jan 27, 2023 at 3:12 PM

I love you and miss you.❤️

Shannon (aka Shan) said : Guest Report Jan 27, 2023 at 3:07 PM

Unkie B, you amazing man! You introduced me to so many good bands and campy movies. You taught me how to waterski and tube. You introduced me to Stephen King. And sooooo many dad jokes and puns. You’ve always made me laugh. I love you more than words can tell.

Lisa Dessureault said : Guest Report Jan 27, 2023 at 12:24 PM

Brian, You will be missed by your wit and sense of humor !! My sister and family will treasure all the good times you had with them. As well as I will. Fly free !! God will take you in with open arms. He is waiting !

Niecy46@yahoo.com said : Guest Report Jan 27, 2023 at 11:31 AM

I’ll miss your puns and jokes. Hope you’re having fun with the family. ❤️❤️❤️😇

Holly Blanchard said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 10:47 PM

Uncle, you were the absolute best. Always smiling and ready with a joke. When I was young, your home was my safe place. You introduced me to many of the things that I still love today: boats, books, my lifelong love of Stephen King. As a matter of fact. I still have the copy of Nightshift you let me borrow when I was 11. You gave me my first camera. My first CD. You gave me a much needed pep talk on my wedding day. Later, you gave me much needed pep talks when I was overwhelmed with my dad. The loss of your positivity and playful is immeasurable and your loss will no doubt leave a hole that will never be filled. I will miss you. See you later.

Elizabeth Donnelly said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 10:12 PM

Yesterday I lost my Dad. He was my bestfriend my whole life. He taught me many things in life. To always be kind, to never give up, work hard for the things you want in life, say sorry and truly mean it, to never take life for granted, to love hard and above all, love myself. He was notorious for his Dad jokes. Humor was his way to connect with everyone and anyone. He was always the most positive person in any situation. He was the light, love and laughter in any room. He was there for me through everything in life. He loved his 2 grandchildren so much. They were his whole world. I miss you already dad. Even at the end of your fight you still managed to make sure you knew how much you loved me and make me laugh one last time so you could see me smile. You will always be with me in my heart and we have a lifetimes of the perfect memories. Rest in the sweetest of peace Dad, until I see you again ❤️

Laurie Jennings said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 9:57 PM

I am very sad to hear of Brian's passing and wish to express my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I ran into Brian many years ago at an industry function and said "Hey, you used to give my sisters and I, a ride to the bus stop in your yellow convertible when we were little". His look of horror turned into many laughs and he would always introduce me as "the Billerica girl that he use to drop off at the bus stop". He always spoke of Barbara and of how they met and I regret not going to La Hacienda on "any" Friday night for a margarita to meet him and his wife and their friends for an end of the week drink. May his amazing spirit bring comfort to us all and keep us smiling.

JOANNE SULLIVAN said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 5:40 PM

Oh, Mr. Brian!! Our family was truly blessed to have you in our lives for over 28 years. You surely gave us the gift of laughter with all your jokes, and I mean LOTS of jokes. You will be thought of frequently because you left such an imprint in our hearts. Thank you for all the fond memories. Forever in our hearts!!!

Joni Schreiner said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 4:48 PM

He was full of life and lived to make others laugh with his jokes. A kind, thoughtful man who made a difference.

Joni Schreiner said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 4:48 PM

He was full of life and lived to make others laugh with his jokes. A kind, thoughtful man who made a difference.

Bill Bruce said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 3:09 PM

His Jokes were needed to brighten our day . And there were plenty of them . Some long ,some short and to the point . Always good for a chuckle . It was a pleasure working with Brian . He will be truly missed . Bill B

Jennifer Houle said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 2:53 PM

My sweet friend....You were always there to make my workday better and made me laugh with all your "Dad" jokes. I miss you throwing your little football at me over the cube wall. I also miss your smile. and the banter we would share. I am blessed to have been part of your life and to have you as part of mine. You were a wonderful coworker, and an awesome friend. May you fly with the angels. Until we meet again, I Love you, man!

Patricia Kudzma said : Guest Report Jan 26, 2023 at 1:15 PM

Brian was a wonderful neighbor he made me feel so welcome when I moved here. Always there to help if you needed him wonderful sense of humor great guy I will miss him.

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