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Richard "Dick" Donnelly, 81, of New Bern, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017 at CarolinaEast Medical Center.
Dick married Diane "Dee" Gysel in 1958 and after graduation from the University of Maryland, they settled in Laurel, Maryland to start their family. There he began his 34-year career in US Intelligence, which often took him travelling around the globe. He and Dee moved to New Bern and built a home in Fairfield Harbour in 1995. Dick was an avid sailor, an active participant in the local music and theater scenes, and a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church choir, the Craven Community Chorus and the Fairfield Harbour Chorus. He was a former member of the Southern Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus, the Fairfield Harbour RV Club and the Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club. He was a longstanding member and officer of the Carolina Coastal Railroaders.
He is survived by his wife Dee; sons Kevin and Brian, daughters Arlene Crum and Jennifer Donnelly, their families including seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and brother Robert Donnelly and sister Patricia Molloy.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, June 5th at 10:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church; reception to follow.
Online condolences to the family may be made through Cotten Funeral Home at www.cottenfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please remember the Craven Community Chorus Memorial Fund, PO Box 13704, New Bern, NC 28561 or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Cotten Funeral Home.
June 13, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Jesus wept after the death of his friend Lazarus. John 11:35 We weep along with you. His example was written in the Bible to give us hope.
Rom. 15:4
June 9, 2017
Bob LaPalme
I worked with Dick for many years. Those were the good old days (1972-1990) and it was very productive time. I often thought of Dick if I had run across some item or article he might remember and so we stayed in touch until these last few years. He will be missed....
May 31, 2017
I am sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you during your time of mourning. Isaiah 61:1,2 ; Matthew 5:4
May 30, 2017
Allen HIGH
I spent many years with Dick during our NSA careers and he was a great friend and fun guy. I remember the times on his Hunter 37 on the Chesapeake. Our travels together were always very interesting. We will all miss him. Al High, Hilton Head, SC
May 26, 2017
Carolyn Cornelius
I worked with Dick for several years at NSA. He was a good man and a great boss. I send my sincere condolences to his family.
May 20, 2017
Dick was truly a gentleman in every sense of the wor
Bob and Shirley Papasodero
May 17, 2017
I've known Dick through the Barbershop Chorus, Craven Community Chorus and in musicals with New Bern Civic Theater. We'll sing together again with joy in heaven. God bless. Andy Acasio
May 17, 2017
My sincere sympathy to Dee and the family upon Dick's passing. He will surely be missed by his loved ones. God Bless.
Regina Collins Shugars
May 17, 2017
Lisa Gunn
I had the chance to meet Richard while doing a theatrical production at New Bern Civic Theatre. He will sorely be missed. RIP
May 17, 2017
Susie and Nils Hokansson
We were blessed to become friends with Dick and Dee while we lived in Fairfield Harbour. I will always remember Dick for his fondness of calling me an unflattering name based on the first play I had the privilege of acting in with him. We will miss him.
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