Charles Francis Donnelly, age 88 of Grand Rapids, formerly of Birmingham and Harbor Springs, passed away Wednesday, August 15, 2012. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Ann Marie (1961); brothers, Edward Donnelly and Frank Donnelly; sisters, Margaret Green and Molly Stratton. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, JoAnn Donnelly; children, Charles (Lyn) Donnelly, Sister Mary Donnelly, Kathy Rogers, Mark (Mary Ann) Donnelly, David Donnelly, Joanna (Scott) Dales; grandchildren, Sean and Mark Donnelly, Anna Gray Sarconne, Sarah, Jessica and Zachary Rogers, Peter, Megan, Joseph, Katherine and Ella Donnelly, Charles, Jack and Will Dales. Mr. Donnelly graduated from the University of Toronto in 1949 and Fordham Law School in 1953. He moved to Michigan to serve as General Counsel for Ford Motor Company and later was Vice Chairman of Bendix Corporation, before retiring in 1979. After retiring he taught business classes at Lake Superior State College. He was an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force (Navigator), a member of the Michigan Catholic Conference Board, Recordings for the Blind, Meals on Wheels, Esperanza Medical Mission, Christ Child Society, Hospice and the Michigan Bar Association. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2750 Burton SE, Msgr. Ernest P. Schneider, presiding. Visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Wyoming, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Christ Child Society (of Northern Michigan or Phoenix Chapters), P.O. Box 132, Harbor Springs, MI 49740, Esperanza Medical Mission, 1911 Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85015 or Spectrum Health Hospice, 100 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
