48 °F Ocean City, US
March 7, 2026

E. GERALD DONNELLY JR., 81

E. Gerald “GERRY” Donnelly Jr., 81, of Springfield (Delco), Pa., and Ocean City, N.J., passed away peacefully Nov. 28, 2023.

Beloved husband of Jane E. Lessner; devoted dad of Patti Lynn Fitzgerald (Dave), Colleen Donnelly and Edward G. “Ted” Donnelly III.  Cherished “Poppy” of David, Connor and Kyleigh Fitzgerald, and Aidan and Gavin Donnelly. He is also survived by former wife Patricia Hughes Donnelly.

Gerry graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Class of 1959.  He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College, Class of 1963, where he received his A.B. degree, and went on to receive his J.D. degree from Villanova University School of Law, Class of 1966, where he served as editor-in-chief of The Villanova Law Review.  

Gerry spent his entire legal career with Fox Rothschild, LLP, as an associate, a partner and as senior counsel.  

Gerry enjoyed playing golf for many years. A 4-handicap at age 16, he was the captain of his high school and college teams. He was a member of Rolling Green Golf Club, former member of Greate Bay Country Club, Atlantic City Country Club and Llanerch Country Club. He was also a longtime member of the Vesper Club.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit the family from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, Pa., and to his Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation at pitthopkins.org/donate in recognition of Gerry’s beloved special grandson, Connor, who is affected by and living with this condition.

Visit donohuefuneralhome.com to share condolences.

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