Donald E. Donnelly

Donald E. Donnelly, 58, of Lawrence Park, died on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at UPMC Hamot, following an extended illness. He was born on September 19, 1957, in Pittsburgh, Pa., son of the late George Henderson Donnelly and Jeannette Ruth Poke Donnelly.

A 1976 graduate of Meadville High School, he was a chef for various restaurants, including the Waterfall, Smuggler's Wharf, and most recently, the CrayZ Parrot. When interviewed for an article in the Erie Times-News Food Section, Don explained he did not attend culinary school but came by his chef's title "the harder way," after years of on-the-job training. "I learned from A to Z, dishwasher to chef, how to run a first-rate kitchen."

He attended Luther Memorial Church and enjoyed playing golf. Don followed and was a fan of many Pittsburgh sports teams, but his passion was for the Steelers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Rev. George Donnelly.

Survivors include his wife, Lynnette S. Collier Donnelly; a daughter, Lena N. Donnelly at home; two stepsons, Jacob and Zachary Byers of Erie; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Shirley and Montie Collier of Erie; three sisters-in-law, Debbie Donnelly of Pittsburgh, Amy Scott (John) of Harborcreek, Pa. and Tina Collier of Columbia, S.C.; a brother-in-law, John Collier (Michelle) of Coconut Creek, Fla.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle Street. A service will be held at Luther Memorial Church, 225 West 10th Street, Monday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. William Coleman officiating. Interment will be private, at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be made to Iroquois Marching Band, 4301 Main Street, Erie, PA 16511, or to Luther Memorial Music Ministry, 225 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16501.

Family and friends may view the on-line obituary and send condolences at www.ScottFuneralHomeErie.com.

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