Michael F. Donnelly

AMHERST – Michael F. Donnelly, 79, a longtime resident of more than 50 years of Amherst, New Hampshire, died peacefully on Oct. 29, 2022.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on Oct. 5, 1943, a son of John T. Donnelly and Anna (Strong) Donnelly. Michael was raised in Michigan and Connecticut and graduated from Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut, class of 1962. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree from Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire.

As a Special Forces officer, Mike served in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. Through military operations that included the Tet Offensive, the Battle of Good Friday and others, he was awarded three Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He remained close with friends made in Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry.

His career included 15 years with Digital Equipment Corporation before owning and operating a consulting business, Donnelly Associates, for 20 years in Amherst.

Michael enjoyed golfing, skiing and visiting local flea markets. He most loved spending time with his family, and especially attending his grandchildren’s sporting and performing arts events. In the words of one of Mike’s grandchildren, “He was the best Papa ever!” Mike also spent time identifying and cultivating young leaders throughout his life. His legacy will live beyond his grandchildren.

He was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Milford and a member of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Milford Assembly No. 3035.

Family members include his loving wife of 26 years, Jeanne (St. Laurent) Donnelly, of Amherst; four grateful children and their spouses, Meghan (Donnelly) and Erich Schneider of St. Petersburg, Florida, Jason and Sue (Bradway) Donnelly of Arlington, Massachusetts, Kerry (Davis) and Jeff Koroski of Exeter, New Hampshire, and Brian and Jenni (Jasieniecki) Davis of Meredith, New Hampshire; 10 treasured grandchildren, Annie, Lily, and Dexter Schneider, Ruby and Abraham Donnelly, Christopher and Ethan Koroski, Chloe, Sam, and Finn Davis; three brothers and sisters-in-law and a sister, John and Maureen Donnelly of Fairview, Pennsylvania, Paul and Regina Donnelly of Garland, Maine, Patrick and Denise Donnelly of Pinehurst, North Carolina, Margaret (Donnelly) O’Beirne of Annandale, Virginia; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

There are no visiting hours. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 34 Amherst St. in Milford. Burial with full military honors will follow at 2 p.m. in The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire. Michael’s funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Saint Patrick’s Catholic Community Milford, NH Facebook Page.

Memorial donations may be made to Operation Smile (operationsmile.org), SHARE of Southern New Hampshire (www.sharenh.org) or Home Health & Hospice Care of Merrimack, New Hampshire (https://www.hhhc.org/how-to-help/donate/).

Arrangements are in care of the Smith and Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford. To share or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.