James Donelan

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- James “Coach” Donelan, 72, of Englewood, formerly of Fitchburg, Mass., died Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Hospice of St. John’s, in Lakewood.

He was born in Fitchburg on Jan. 10, 1932, the son of Edward and Sarah (Walsh) Donelan.

Mr. Donelan was a Denver public school teacher for more than 30 years. He was also an active member of the Swallow Hill Music Association for more than 20 years and a longtime member of the Last Note Singers.

He enjoyed visiting music festivals throughout the country.

His kind and generous spirit, sense of humor and love of music survives through the families, friends and students whose lives he touched.

Mr. Donelan is survived by his six children, Jed, Peter, Matthew, Nancy, Kate, and Tom; sons-in-law, David Jared and Trevor McCall, and daughter-in-law Jenny Donelan; five grandchildren, Loretta and Doris Donelan, Aidan and Dominic Jared and Brynn McCall; seven siblings, John Donelan of Westford, married to Mary McCann, Anne Trudel of Leominster, married to Arthur Trudel, Sally Murphy of Aurora, married to John Murphy, Frances Barr of Beaver, Pa., married to Roy Barr, Kay Humphreys of Lunenburg, Terry Mooney of Mardela Springs, Md., married to Tom Mooney, and Pat Donelan of Fitchburg, married to Barbara Poirier; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his siblings Mary Barker, Edward Donelan and Sister Mary Sarah, PBVM.

Funeral services were held at All Souls Catholic Church, Englewood. Donations may be made in his memory to the Denver Public Schools Foundation, 900 Grant St., Suite 711, Denver, CO 80203; or to The Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 East Yale Ave., Denver, CO 80210.