Joseph F. Donnelly

Joseph F. Donnelly, age 86, of Wayne, passed peacefully on Friday, October 28, 2022.

Joseph was born in Manhattan, NY to James and Josephine Donnelly and resided there until he married Ruth Ann Donnelly in May 1963 and moved to Queens NY then subsequently to Wayne, NJ.

Joseph served his country in the United States Army as a medic and was honorably discharged in March 1963. He worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for over 25 years serving as a Senior Bank Officer before retiring in 1985.

Joseph will be lovingly remembered for his dedication to family, faith, and community. Nothing in the world meant more to him than spending time with and providing for his family. He especially cherished his beloved grandsons and never missed on opportunity to share their accomplishments. He was a loving Father, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend who cared so much, gave so quietly, and loved so deeply. He reminded us daily that life is about giving and being of service to others. He was dedicated to his Catholic faith and was proud to serve as the Director of Stewardship at our Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. He was recognized for his service to the Catholic Church with a Vivere Christus Award in 2018.

He was the loving father of Annmarie Fairweather and her husband William of Pompton Plains, NJ, and Cathy Basenese and her wife Carla Silva of Milton, DE; he was the dearly loved grandfather of Kyle Ruffing and Evan Fairweather; much loved brother of Edward Keys of Queens, NY, Donna and John O’Reilly of Wappingers Falls, NY and Bill Kelly of Estero, FL and is predeceased by his siblings Joan Conty and David Keys; He is also survived by several close nieces and nephews, Melanie Scarpati, Kevin Keys, Jenn Keys McNamara, Michael Keys, Sean Patrick O’Reilly, Meaghan O’Reilly, Liam O’Reilly, Stephanie and Siobhan Keys.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Joseph’s name are asked to consider:
Father English Food Pantry
435 Main Street
Paterson, NJ 07501