Bernard J. Donnelly

Bernard J. Donnelly, 83 of Charlestown, died Thursday at home, surrounded by his family.. He was the husband of Helen M. (Studley) Donnelly. Born in Naugatuck, CT, he was a son of the late Raymond and Lena (Zehnder) Donnelly. After retiring, Mr. Donnelly moved to Rhode Island and served as head usher at St. Mary Church, Carolina for many years. He loved sports, enjoyed playing golf, gardening and playing his accordion. Mr. Donnelly served honorably in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict He will be remembered as enjoying the time he spent with his grandchildren and will be dearly missed by his two pets, Fritz and Simba. Besides his wife he is survived by five children, Bernard M. Donnelly of Charlestown, Pamela J. Sczarcynski of CT, Timothy J. Donnelly of Greene, Christopher Donnelly of North Kingstown, and Laura L. Donnelly of Charlestown; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a brother Raymond Donnelly of Naugatuck, CT; and a sister Virginia Donnelly of Naugatuck, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 2, 2015 at 10 am in St. Mary Church, 437 Carolina Back Road (Rt. 112), Carolina. Burial with military honors will follow in Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours are in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Thursday, 4-6 pm. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Home & Hospice care of RI, South Team, 143 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.