David Caufield Donnelly Sr.

Donnelly, - David Caufield, Sr. 1924-2005 WWII Veteran Former partner of Oppenheimer, Wolff and Donnelly, past President of the Ramsey County and Minnesota State Bar Associations, Republican Party activist, amateur song writer and history buff, died peacefully Thursday morning. A life-long resident of St. Paul, he was 80. Donnelly, a graduate of the St. Paul Academy, enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1942 and he served as a bombardier in the 15th Air Force. Decorated 4 times, his citations included recognition for his missions on the famous Ploesti, Rumania raids in 1943. He completed 51 missions. Upon graduation from the University of Minnesota Law School, he became the 4th generation of his family to enter the Minnesota legal community. In addition to his bar presidencies, he was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to the Board of Professional Responsibility, and was named a fellow of the American Bar Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Sheily and Lambert Companies and was also a member of The Minnesota Club and the Somerset Country Club. Donnelly had a life-long interest in history and was exceptionally knowledgeable about the Civil War and the emergence of the American frontier. His family and friends also remember his love of the piano and the colorful songs he wrote and performed. His zest for life was reflected by his leadership, his remarkable wit and his love of a good time. Donnelly was married to Jane Wyman with whom he had 3 children, and later to Connie Leslie and Katherine Mary Bellows. He is survived and will be missed by his sister, Deborah Donnelly Goltz and her husband, Neill of Bozeman, MT; his children, Ellen Catlin Donnelly of Belmont, MA, Jane Wyman Donnelly of Towson, MD, and David Caufield Donnelly Jr. of St. Paul; his sons-in-law, Hampton Watkins and Michael Rosenberg; his granddaughters, Ellen Wyman Watkins and Catherine Donnelly Rosenberg; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial reception will be held Friday, February 11, from 3-5 PM at the MENDAKOTA CLUB, 2075 Mendakota Dr., Mendota Heights. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to his son's sheltered workshop at: Merrick Inc., 3210 Labore Rd, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service 651-228-1006.