After battling numerous health issues for many years, Clifford A. Donnelly, of Earlville, lost his last battle to COVID-19 on October 21, 2021 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. He was 49 years old.
He was born July 11, 1972 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the son of Samuel and Patricia (Bair) Donnelly. He spent most of his early life in the Utica area, before his family relocated to Norwich. For the last 11 years of his life, he and his family made their home in the Earlville area.
On May 29, 2004, he married Martina Marshall, and they enjoyed 17 years of marriage together, and just shy of 23 years as a couple.
Clifford was described as a “jack-of-all-trades” by those who knew him; a person who enjoyed working with his hands. He trained as an auto-body technician, and performed auto-body work as an independent contractor for multiple businesses and individuals in the area. He operated a tire shop and salvage operation out of his home in Earlville, referring to his business as DDC (“Donnelly Destruction Crew”).
In his leisure time, Clifford enjoyed fishing, hunting, and participating in demolition derby events (he always competed under the number 69). He also enjoyed an interest in antique cars, bowling, and attending auctions of all kinds (estate, equipment, etc.). He enjoyed travelling about the countryside, as he held a great disdain for the crowded nature and hurried pace of cities.
Clifford was a dedicated family man; he deeply loved his family and friends and spending time in their company. They will miss him dearly.
Clifford is survived by his wife, Martina Donnelly of Earliville; his son: Dalton Stone of Earliville; his daughters: Jessica Donnelly of Norwich, Hayley Donnelly (Johnathan Harvey) of Smyrna, and Payton and Lilly Donnelly of Earlville; his grandson: Levi Donnelly of Norwich; his mother: Patricia Donnelly of Norwich; his brothers: Sam (Deb) Donnelly Jr. of Oriskany Falls, Gordon (Ashley) Donnelly of Norwich, and Steven (Jennifer) Donnelly of Bainbridge; his mother-in-law: Kimberly Marshall of South Otselic; in-laws: Danielle Marshall of Whitney Point, Cy (Nicole) Marshall of Otselic, Samantha (Richard) Gould of Norwich, Zachary Marshall (Kaitlynn March) of Otselic, and Brian Simonet of Norwich; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was predeceased by his father: Samuel Donnelly Sr.; his grandfather: Roland Donnelly Sr.; his grandmother: Marion Murray; his father-in-law: Douglas Marshall; and a good friend: Edward Fox.
Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St., Norwich, on Wednesday, October 27, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A service will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Bradley Keator officiating.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich.