Col. Peter "Dude" Donnelly Ret.

Col. Peter "Dude" Donnelly, USAF, Ret., born February 12, 1961, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, took his final flight on April 23, 2025, from Williamsburg, Virginia. At the age of 64, he left behind a trail of laughter, stories, a penchant for classic car and like many others, had a love-hate relationship with The New York Giants.
Growing up in South Plainfield, NJ, Pete spent 12 years playing his favorite sport football. He loved being a Quarterback while with his Flying Dutchmen at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.
A man whose career soared to great heights, Pete retired from a 30-year career as a Colonel in the United States Air Force. He began his career as a B52 Navigator and later served as a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Commander for the 14th ASOG and then 18th ASOG-deploying numerous times in support of OIF and OEF, among other conflicts. He retired as Inspector General at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, VA. He later traded his wings for a briefcase and joined the incredible team at Leidos Defense Contracting. Over the action-packed 10 plus years with Leidos, he quickly rose to the title of Sr. Program Manager, proving that while you can take the man out of the Air Force, you can't quite take the Air Force out of the man.
Pete's interests were as varied as his collection of military memorabilia. He had a deep-seated passion for A-15 Publishing, his publishing company, to ensure military authors' stories were told with the reverence and humor they deserved. A walking encyclopedia of WWII history, he could tell you everything about the Battle of Britain over a cup of coffee or, better yet, a cold beer.
He was a proud member of several organizations, including the NRA, SPCA, Catholic Charities of America, RNC, USAF 325 Bomber Squadron, St. Bede Catholic Charities, and Crosswalk Church Norge. His accolades included The Bronze Star with eight Oak Leaf Clusters-one with Valor, Meritorious Service Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Organizational Excellence Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with 4 Service Stars, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon Short, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Longevity Service with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Preceded in death by his parents, John R. Donnelly and Helen C. Donnelly, and many of his brothers and sisters in arms, Dude leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory. His beloved wife, Nina Donnelly, his brother John Donnelly, sister Dawn Hutchison, step-son Gustavo "Tito" Pizarro, step-daughters Tabitha Odel and Lydia Pizarro, granddaughters Jaelyn Pizarro and Serenity Quick, grandsons Jacob Pizarro, Easton Odel, Bentley Odel, and Christian Quick, Uncle Bill Donnelly, Aunt Jane Gillespie, nephews Johnny Donnelly, Josh Donnelly, Jake Donnelly, Ryan Hutchison, Sean Hutchison, Richard Marcum, niece Christen Donnelly, and Goddaughter and niece Lauren Hutchison, Laura Penrose, Cousins Diane and Joe Ruggiero, Donna and Dave Keifer, Cindy and Ron Haynes, Brother in Law Ronald "Buddy" Hutchison, Sister in Law Eva Donnelly and Son in Law Jason Odel will continue to share his legacy throughout the years to come.
Pete's legacy is also carried on by a large collective of brothers and sisters with whom he served, both inside and outside the military. Together, they will remember a man who served his country with boundless courage and honor.
Farewell, Dude. Your tales, your humor, and your indomitable spirit will continue to inspire those who have known you for years and years to come. You will never be forgotten. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Col. Peter, please visit our floral store.