Jimmy Donnelly, Emeracly
obituary
Sheron Boyle
Jimmy, 3rd right, his sister Winnie, second right, his daughter Mary Eileen, 2nd left with members of the Donnelly and Boyle families
Sheron Boyle
Jimmy Donnelly – one of the Emeracly donnelly’s has died aged 92. This is his obituary:
DONNELLY
JAMES A. ON JUNE 28, 2019 AGE 92 OF HAVERTOWN
He was the son of the late Patrick and Hnora Donnelly and devoted father of Mary Eileen. Born on April 26, 1927, in Emeracly, Ireland, he live in Manchester, England for eight years before moving to America. He married Agnes P. Browne in May 1963, with whom he raised their daughter until Agnes’s death in March 1977, then raising Mary Eileen as a single father. He worked as a welder and later as a crossing guard for the Haverford Township School District. He was proud of his Irish heritage and lived his life with a sincere and deep faith in God. He was very active in the Annunciation BVM Church in Havertown serving as an usher for over 40 years. He enjoyed gardening and was a loyal fan of the Phillies and the Buffalo Bills. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Eileen, his sister Winifred Casey and many nieces , nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his 4 brothers and 2 sisters, and his sister-in-law, Helen Ferrara, who assisted him in raising Mary Eileen. FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO HIS VIEWING TUESDAY JULY 2ND, FROM 9:30-10:15 AM IN THE FRANK C. VIDEON FUNERAL HOME SPROUL AND LAWRENCE ROADS BROOMALL , TO BE FOLLOWED BY A FUNERAL MASS AT 11:00 AM IN THE ANNUNCIATION BVM CHURCCH 401 BROOKLINE BLVD HAVERTOWN PA. 19083. Memorial gifts may be sent in his name to Compassus Hospice , 2 Campus Blvd. Newtown Square, PA. 19073
INT. HOLY CROSS CEMETERY.
INT. HOLY CROSS CEMETERY.
Further Information
Jimmy Donnelly was one of seven children orphaned when their parents Honora nee Boyle and Patrick died within two years of each other in the 1940s.
Their neighbours, the Boyles, became a second family with Margaret Boyle ensuring they stayed together on the home farm and kept a close eye on them as well as raising her own seven children.
When social services came to separate the Donnellys and take the youngest ones away, Mrs Boyle ensured her cattle were placed on the Donnellys land so it looked as if they were self sufficient. In truth, like all families, they got by.
The Donnellys and Boyles left Emeracly – some going to Philadelphia, Jimmy went with his best friend Michael Boyle to work on the farms of Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire before settling in Manchester where he worked for eight years. When he decided to emigrate to Philadelphia, he wanted Mick to go with him but he said no as he had a good job in the pits.
Mick never saw his pal again though his brother Jimmy did. But the two families remain in contact to this day in Ireland and the US.
Mick’s daughter Sheron and grandsons Fin and Joe met Jimmy in 2014 and he regaled them with stories of his life.
He never lost his Irish accent and worked until recent times as a school crossing patrol man – going out in all weathers.
He raised his only child, Mary Eileen, with the help of family on both sides. She was devoted to her dad to the very end.
This page was added on 08/07/2019.
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