Donnelly, Reverend William P.

1936- 2021

Reverend William P. Donnelly, Retired, died on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Villa Saint Joseph, Darby.

Father Donnelly was born on April 19, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is the son of the late William J. Donnelly and Mary J. Devlin.  Father Donnelly attended Saint Laurence Parochial School, Upper Darby, and West Philadelphia Catholic High School, Philadelphia, before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Father Donnelly was ordained on May 16, 1964, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by Most Reverend John J. Krol..  Father Donnelly served as Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Parish, Warrington; Saint Clement Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Philomena Parish, Lansdowne; Saint Callistus Parish, Philadelphia; and Saint Alice Parish, Upper Darby.  He served on the Faculty at Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote, and Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia.  He also served as Pastor, Saint Alice Parish, Upper Darby, from 1992-2004.  He retired from active ministry in 2005.

The Reception of the Body will be held at Saint Andrew the Apostle Church, Drexel Hill, on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 9:00AM, followed by a viewing at 9:30 AM..  Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D., will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00AM.  Concelebrating the Funeral Mass will be Reverend Dominic Tran Minh Duc, Reverend James F. Sullivan, Reverend Anthony J. Cossavella, and Reverend Monsignor Albin J. Grous will be the homilist.

Father Donnelly is survived by his brother Francis (Ann), and several nieces and nephews.  Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.