Rev. Richard A. Donnelly

DONNELLY, REV. RICHARD A., 72, Pastor Emeritus of St. Mark Parish, Cranston died on Wednesday May 21, 2008.

Born in Providence a son of the late Francis and Mildred (Boyce) Donnelly, he attended St. Paul School, Cranston and LaSalle Academy, Providence.

In Preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady Of Providence Seminary, Warwick and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, MD. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 9, 1962 at the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, Providence by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.

After a summer assignment at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Providence, Fr. Donnelly was appointed part time Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, North Scituate, and teacher at LaSalle Academy, Providence and in 1965 he was named Spiritual Director at the same school. In September 1967 he was transferred to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Johnston as a part-time Assistant Pastor. In 1968 he became part-time Assistant Pastor at St. Patrick Parish, Providence and in that same year was also appointed teacher at Our Lady of Providence Seminary High School. In 1971 Fr. Donnelly became part-time Pastor Assistant at St. Paul Parish, Cranston and in 1976 was named Director of the Diocesan Transitory Diaconate Program.

In July 1981, he was appointed Pastor of St. Clement Parish in Warwick while continuing as Director of the Diocesan Transitory Diaconate Program. In addition to his parish duties, from September 1981 Fr. Donnelly served as Episcopal Deanery Vicar for the West Bay Regent #9 and as a member of the Council of Priests and College Consultors (1990). For many years, he was very active in the Respect Life Movement and also served as Spiritual Director for the World Apostolate of Fatima (The Blue Army).

In June 1991, Fr. Donnelly was appointed Pastor of St. Mark Parish, Cranston where he remained until July 2005, when he retired as Pastor Emeritus.

After his retirement from the parochial duties, he remained at St. Mark Rectory, Cranston where he assisted with Parish work. In February 2006, due to deteriorating health, he moved to Scalabrini Villa, North Kingstown, from there to The Village at St. Antoine, North Smithfield in 2007.

Fr. Donnelly is survived by his brother, Paul B. Donnelly and his wife Marie Rose Donnelly of Fredericks, Maryland, sister in law Audrey Donnelly and several nieces and nephews. In recent years, Fr. Donnelly was cared for by Peter and Lorita Jussila. He was the brother of the late Francis J. Donnelly, Jr.

Calling hours will be held Friday May 23, 2008 from 4-7 p.m. at St. Mark Church, 9 Garden Court, Cranston. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Parish Mass. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for the repose of his soul on Saturday May 24, 2008 at 10 a.m. in St. Paul Church, 1 St. Paul Place, Cranston. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Fr. Donnelly's memory may be made to St. Mark Church Renovation Fund. www.WoodlawnGatone.com