James McKnight Donnelly, Jr., 91 of Lincoln, died Friday. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Flavin) Donnelly. Born in Clinton, Massachusetts, he was a son of the late James M. and Mildred (Manning) Donnelly.

During his lifetime he was employed as a Vice President and Director of Human Resources for Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co., Sperry & Hutchinson (S&H Green Stamps) and Baldwin United.

Mr. Donnelly was a 1943 Cum Laude graduate of Princeton University. While at Princeton he was a member of the Tower Club, the Triangle Club and the famous Princeton Tigers Dance Band (as a trombone player). He was a "fill-in" trombone player for Fred Waring and his "Waring's Pennsylvanians" in the 1940's.

His hobbies and pastimes included being an avid reader, a reading mentor (Warren, RI library), Music (trombone) as well as being a singer in a "Barber Shop Quartet," swimming, Ivy League football, and the New England Patriots.

Mr. Donnelly was a Lieutenant in the Army Air Force during WW II and served as a pilot and flight instructor.

He is survived by his children Nancy Culpepper (husband Dr. Larry Culpepper) of Boston and Westport, MA, Dr. Peter F. Donnelly of Portland, ME, and James M. Donnelly III (wife Barbara S. Donnelly) of Lincoln; sibling Joan Crane of Amsterdam, NY; grandchildren Jennifer Culpepper of Warwick, Maeve Donnelly of Portland, ME, James M. Donnelly IV of Lincoln and Stephen B. Donnelly of Lincoln; great-granddaughter Lily Culpepper of Warwick and many, many nieces and nephews and their families as well.

He was the brother of the late Alan, Eliot and John Donnelly, Eleanor Donnelly and Millicent Bagley.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10:00 am in the Redwood Chapel at Swan Point Cemetery, Blackstone Blvd., Providence. Burial will follow at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Providence Rescue Mission, 627 Cranston St., Providence, RI 02907 would be appreciated.

Jim was a positive, congenial man who always shared a smile and a kind word with many friends and family members. Sadly, he will be missed by many who knew him and enjoyed his warmth. (He also love a rare prime rib dinner, strawberry shortcake, bridge mix and a chilled, well-mixed bourbon manhattan!)

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Lincoln Funeral Home
1501 Lonsdale Avenue
Lincoln, RI 02865
401-726-4117

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