Charles J. ‘Charlie’ Donnelly Jr.
Craftsman known throughout neighborhood
Charles J. “Charlie” Donnelly Jr. died suddenly on June 5. He was 72.
Born and raised in Dorchester, Mr. Donnelly lived in Weymouth for 44 years before moving to Hanover. He graduated from the now-defunct Don Bosco Technical High School, formerly of Boston, and Wentworth Institute of Technology of Boston. A carpenter and sole proprietor of Donnelly Weather Strip Service, he was known throughout Beacon Hill for restoring hundreds of the neighborhood’s wooden doors and windows.
Mr. Donnelly was active in many charitable organizations, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Johns Church in Quincy, the Long Island Shelter for the Homeless and Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore. He was also a parishioner and lector at St. Albert the Great Church, and participated in the vigil to reopen the parish.
An avid runner, Mr. Donnelly completed five marathons and 25 Falmouth Road Races, and was a member of the South Shore Striders. He was also active in the Boy Scouts of America as a youth, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and serving as Scoutmaster.
Mr. Donnelly was the husband of Susan J. (Quinn) Donnelly; father of Jennifer “Jenna” Hughes and her husband David of Weymouth, Caroline Richardson and her husband Shane of Cary, N.C., and Margaret “Meg” Maher of Rockland; brother of James Donnelly of Littleton; grandfather to Zachary, McKenna, Owen and Celia; and step-grandfather to Olivia and Owen Hughes. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations of non-perishable food items for local food pantries. Contributions may also be sent directly to St. Johns Food Pantry, 21 Gay St., Quincy, MA 02169.