CARIBOU, Maine – Dr. Maurice William Donnelly, 87, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018, in Gorham, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on September 2, 1930, the son of Maurice S. and Margaret (Föller) Donnelly.
Col. Maurice “Bill” Donnelly proudly served 30 years in the Air Force. His early years were spent as an enlisted aircraft mechanic working on B-36’s. He served in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and after completing graduate and specialty school, worked as a dentist and an officer stateside at bases in Washington, North Dakota, California, New Mexico, and Maine. After retirement from the military, he continued practicing dentistry at several institutions in Northern Maine until retiring in 2003. Dr. Donnelly enjoyed serving the Caribou community through a variety of roles held within the Caribou chapter of the Kiwanis Club. He loved traveling the United States with his family exploring national parks and fishing/camping at Baskahegan Lake in Maine. Maurice and his wife, Nancy, also enjoyed annual spring escapes to Galway, Ireland, for many years. He loved working to keep the family house in order and was a master ‘do-it-yourself-er’.
He is survived by three sons and their spouses, Stephen and Sara Donnelly, Michael Donnelly, and Gary and Amy Donnelly, all of Gorham, Maine. He will also be missed by two surviving sisters, Barbara Petrullo of Saddlebrook, New Jersey, and Karen Kaner of Lodi, New Jersey; six grandchildren, Ethan, Mia, William, Warren, Emily, and Erica; and many nieces, nephews, and great friends. In addition to his parents, Maurice was predeceased by his wife, Nancy (Woomer) Donnelly, and a sister, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Petrullo.
Friends and family may call on Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 3 p.m. until the time of service which will be held at 4 p.m. from the Chapel of the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St, Caribou, with Rev. Tim Wilcox officiating. A reception will be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center lounge immediately following the service. Those wishing to remember “Bill” may make a gift in his memory to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 Gifts can also be made online at: giftfunds.stjude.org/billdonnelly. www.mocklerfuneralhome.com
