James Henry McDonnell

McDonnell, James Henry
87, of Tucson, Arizona passed away on September 11, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Kathryn (Worsley) and James McDonnell. A graduate of New Bedford, Massachusetts High School, he left high school in his junior year and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his honorable discharge, he returned to New Bedford, MA and graduated from New Bedford High School in 1947. In 1948, he married his wife, Pearl Louise Best, a marriage that has lasted for 65 years. He attended the University of Massachusetts at Fort Devens, MA and then attended Oklahoma State University where he received a degree in Electronic Engineering and completed his graduate work at Cornell University. Jim then joined Sperry Gyroscope, Long Island, NY, worked extensively with flight instruments on B-36 and B-52 aircraft. When the company built a plant in Phoenix, Arizona, Jim and his family moved to Arizona in 1957. He later worked for Lockheed on the communications systems for the Apollo projects that ultimately landed us on the moon. Jim joined Motorola Corp. in 1972 as a marketing engineer and retired in 1988. During the early 1960's, he and a friend, Jim Schwartz, developed the first transistor stereo sets - Omega Electronics. Jim and Pearl moved to Tucson in 2005 to be closer to their three children. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, father and step-mother. He leaves his wife, daughters Deboragh and Tara, and son James, Jr. He also leaves his sister Kathryn Modene of Illinois and brother, Bro. Sean McDonnell, OSB of St. David, AZ. He never gave up his love of the sea, and enjoyed ships and nautical history through his long membership in the National Maritime Historical Society, travel, reading, helping others with computers, and while in Phoenix, was active in the John C. Lincoln Hospital Auxiliary for many years. Jim enjoyed activities with the 50+ Club at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and the company of his children since moving to Tucson. He was honored to be chosen as one to go on the first Honor Flight Southern Arizona in September 2011. Funeral Mass will be held at Most Holy Trinity Church, 8620 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85020 at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 with interment to follow at 12:30 p.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix. A memorial Mass will be held in Tucson at a later date. We wish to thank the doctors and staff at the University of Arizona Medical Center for their care during his recent illness. In lieu of flowers, and wish to honor Jim's memory, please make a donation to Honor Flight Southern Arizona, PO Box 32649, Tucson, AZ 85751, or HonorFlightSAZ.org. Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.