Obituary: Frank R. Donnelly

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Frank Donnelly of Twin Lakes passed peacefully on July 25, 2022 in the Omega House after a long battle
with cancer.

Frank was born September 30th, 1940 to Francis and Derotha (Johnson) Donnelly in Flint, Michigan. He grew up in the Flint area, attending St. Michael’s Catholic School.

As a young man, Frank spent a short stint in a Catholic seminary before attending Flint Community College. On June 19 th 1962 he married his high-school sweetheart Patricia (Hazel) Donnelly. Frank and Pat would have five children together, and in 1974 the family moved from Flint to the Copper Country. On July 1st 1992 Frank married Penny (Riipi) Donnelly, who would be by his side until his passing. Frank and Penny called a number of communities home, including Troy, Twin Lakes, and Tucson, AZ.

Frank gave nearly 40 years of service to Detroit and Northern Bank (D&N). Over that time, he financed homes and small businesses and eventually became the head of commercial lending. Frank also lent his leadership to many community organizations. He was a past president of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, and a founder of the Stanton Township Fire Department. He was an active member of the Wyandotte Hills/Omer’s Golf Course, The Otter Lake Sportsman Club, Eagles, Moose, Elk, and various other woodland critter associations.

Frank had a passion for two G’s: Golf and Grandkids. He was an accomplished golfer, boasting two holes-in-one, and was able to best his children and grandchildren even after turning 80. His big smile was most pronounced with a grandchild on his lap, making them giggle uncontrollably with magic tricks and funny songs. Frank believed in family, lifelong friendships, deer camp stories, and silence in the backswing.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother (Derotha), father (Francis), siblings Katherine (Jack) Febig,
John (Joan) Donnelly, and Patrick Donnelly, his first wife Patricia Donnelly, and his son-in-law Gary Byrnes.

Frank is survived by his loving wife: Penny Donnelly, beloved children and step-children – Karen Byrnes, Joann (Mickey) Roche, Frank (Brooke) Donnelly, John Donnelly (Pam Bostwick), Brian (Darcy) Donnelly, Erin (Mike) Brokenshire and Lauren Schulze; grandchildren and step grandchildren – Kevin Haapapuro, Kimberly (Haapapuro) Grima, Emily Roche, Andrew (Alyssa) Roche, Bridget Roche, Erica (Kyle) Krueger, Paige Donnelly, Tara Donnelly, Sean Donnelly, Spencer (Callie) Donnelly, Shea Donnelly, Patrick Donnelly, Quinn Donnelly, Brody Donnelly, Ronan Donnelly, Flynn Donnelly, Meghan Brokenshire, Adrian Brokenshire, Audrey Brokenshire, and Kate Brokenshire; and great grandchildren – Abbigale Grima, Victoria Grima, Julia Roche, and Everett Roche; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation for Frank at the Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service Mt. View Chapel of South Range on Friday July 29th, from noon to 3pm, followed by a brief prayer service. After the prayer service there will be a graveside ceremony at the Oskar Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Stanton Township Firehall.

To view Frank’s obituary or to send condenses to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service Mt. View Chapel of South Range has been assisting the family with he arrangements.