Martin Francis Donnelly
Born: September 26, 1943
Died: July 13, 2024
Married: Nenita (June 5, 1970)
Children: Crystal Donnelly-Parker, Francis Donnelly, Bethany Donnelly, Nora Donnelly
Martin Francis Donnelly was a Vietnam War veteran and long-time resident of Saranac Lake.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, July 15, 2024
Martin Francis Donnelly
Martin Francis Donnelly, 80, of Saranac Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at Adirondack Health on July 13, 2024.
Born in Saranac Lake, Sept. 26, 1943, he was the son of Francis and Marion Donnelly (Hicks).
Martin was a graduate of St. Pius X Catholic School in Saranac Lake, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Mechanic and served his country during the Vietnam War where he met his wife, Nenita, while stationed at Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines. They were married on June 5, 1970. Martin and Nenita settled back with their children in Saranac Lake in 1975. Martin returned to work at his family’s dairy farm, Crystal Spring Dairy, as a delivery driver, as well as became a long-time employee for several airlines at the Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear until his retirement in 2008.
Martin had a love for pistachio ice cream and double strawberry-double malted milkshakes from Donnelly’s Ice Cream, a family business which he co-owned with his siblings. He also enjoyed tinkering and fixing anything with an engine whether it was an airplane, car, farm equipment or motorcycle. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a gun enthusiast. He also was an avid baseball and NASCAR fan and handyman of all trades. Marty also enjoyed many other hobbies, but he had a love for card games, his favorite being Freecell, which was often found playing on his laptop.
In addition to his loving wife of 53 years, Marty is survived by his children Crystal Donnelly-Parker (Gregory) of Lake Placid, Francis Donnelly (Judy Wemette), Bethany Donnelly and Nora Donnelly, all of Saranac Lake. He’s also survived by grandchildren Regina Donnelly, Brennan Nobles, Liam Nobles and Victoria Donnelly, all of Saranac Lake, Celina (Micah Saunders) Donnelly of Lake Placid, and great-grandchildren, Mason, Monica and Jayden, all of Lake Placid. Marty is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Peter Donnelly (Martha) of Saranac Lake, Patrick Donnelly (Darlene) and Elizabeth Black (Clyde) both of Tupper Lake, Margaret DeForest and John Donnelly (Donna) both of Brockport, and many nieces and nephews.
Martin was predeceased by his parents, sister, Ellen Donnelly, brother-in-law, John DeForest, sister-in-law Karen Donnelly and nephew Stanley DeForest.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Thursday July 18, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2024 at St. John’s Cemetery in Lake Clear.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Martin’s name to the American Cancer Society, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, or Tri-Lakes Humane Society.
Family and friends wishing to remember Martin may also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.