Richard Donnelly passed away on October 15th in Savannah, Georgia, after a valiant 3.5-year fight against cancer. He was 66 years old.
Following his graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy, Richard proudly served his country as a Combat Engineering Officer in the Marine Corps before beginning a successful civilian career as a stockbroker and Certified Financial Planner. When Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom began, Richard once again answered the call to duty, returning to the Marine Corps to serve his nation. Over the course of his distinguished military career, he deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, led a civil affairs team, commanded a battalion, and graduated from the Naval War College. Richard often spoke with deep pride and affection about his time at Naval Academy Preparatory School, the Naval Academy, and his Marine Corps brothers and sisters. His dedication, leadership, and loyalty to those he served alongside will always be remembered.
Colonel Richard Donnelly, Jr., USMC (Ret.) will be missed. He is survived by his parents, Charles Richard and Rose Marie Donnelly; sisters, Diane (Bret) Muilenburg, Denise (Mickey) Carter, and Debbie (Russ) Beasley; and his loving nieces and nephews, Danielle and Dean Muilenburg, Michael and Bobbie Carter, and Maddie and David Beasley.
The family will honor and farewell Richard privately.