Brian Richard Donnelly

Brian Richard Donnelly, 75, beloved husband and father, passed away on June 18 after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on January 18, 1951, in Jersey City NJ, to Richard and Helen (Farmer) Donnelly, deceased, and he grew up in Pompton Plains. In 1980, he married Ellen (Valentine) and the couple settled in Towaco where they built a life together and raised their daughter, Caitlin. Both Ellen and Caitlin survive him.

A man of great intellect and purpose, Brian pursued his education with distinction, earning his bachelor’s degree from Duke University in 1972 and his law degree in 1975 from Temple University School of Law. He devoted his professional life to the practice of law, beginning his career as a Legal Assistant for Chester County, PA, before joining the firm of Kors & Rubin in Jersey City. In the early 1980s, Brian established a private law practice in Pompton Plains where he continued his legal career. Over the course of his career, he was also a municipal prosecutor for several New Jersey municipalities and served in the Morris County Counsel office and as a NJ State Legislative Counsel.

A man of broad passions and generous spirit, Brian had a lifelong interest in world history. He was proud of his Irish heritage, studied the Irish language and history, and travelled throughout his ancestral land. He greatly enjoyed live music, and, in recent years, revived his interest in playing the guitar. Those who knew him would agree that he was an enthusiastic Blue Devil’s sports fan. Brian also gave back to his community, as a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving on the Riverdale Board of Health and, for many years, as a youth sports coach for girls' basketball and softball teams in Montville.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, 10:00 am at St. Anthony Church, 65 Bartholdi Ave, Butler, with a burial at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Butler. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/donate