Wayne Bryant Donelly's Obituary
Wayne Bryant Donelly
United States Air Force Veteran, loving father and friend to many.
Born to John Vincent Donelly and Rita Lucille Donelly August 30, 1941 in Holden, Massachusetts. Lastly living in Boynton Beach, Florida.
“Wayne’s Departure”
The Palm Beach County runway was cleared for Wayne to take flight to be with Jesus. He arrived safely into the loving hands of God on Tuesday, February 28, 2022 for his welcome in heaven.
Wayne was lifted up to heaven by loving and caring friends while carried on angel wings to meet his Lord Jesus Christ face-to-face. There is no doubt God and His Son smiled with open arms embracing this man with a huge heart for the people he loved and those he met and cared for. He has been welcomed home where he will be appreciated and loved deeply and endlessly forever.
Wayne Donelly and Dee Cook’s late life journey together was wrapped in love, loyalty, compassion, care and gratitude. Thank you Wayne for giving me these best 11 years of my life. Though ending in the absence of great wealth we were richly blessed. Until we meet again…
Bye for now.
Love, Dee
Wayne’s amazing career in business jet sales and jet interior redesigns allowed him to generously provide well for family, friends and those around him in need until he retired his company during the economic downturn at the turn of the century.
His career started at the age of 17, where he was mentored by the father of a 21 year old partner who headed an international aircraft business.
There is no question that Wayne was very talented. This is what attracted many to him. To hear him talking on the phone about Jets and remodels was fascinating. His intelligent depth of knowledge, expertise, captivating personality and experience were his richest assets as he served the jet world and cared for his family and friends.
Donelly remained in the jet business until the day he retired his company doing occasional consulting afterward
Wayne would be the first to tell you the aircraft industry is an exciting and challenging business. The economy plays a big role but when things are good, one day, you may be dealing with Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley and the next day maybe the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, along with many others worldwide whom he worked with including royalty, Hollywood stars and business giants and leaders.
Donelly leaves a legacy of evidence that “mentors matter”; however, he would be the first to tell you that God and family matter most though family often doesn’t recognize how deeply we love them or appreciate them until we’re gone. This is love too late.
He loved his family and his country. He would often pray and would say today…”God, please lead and bless my family, friends and the USA.”
He surrounded himself with family photos and the American flag until the very end.
____________
Times past being remembered…
A note from a childhood, lifelong friend.
He’s always had a soft spot for me and my parents and my family in Massachusetts while growing up together. I’ll always consider him family. He had a big old, soft, fluffy heart that he tried to hide behind his tough guy persona.
I love that he was still wearing his deck shoes in later years. He loved his boats, and being on the water! I miss my old friend too.
He loved his family with all his heart and helped so many without ever boasting about it. He gave his children a luxurious life in their youth, and his parents in their old age. His unselfishness left him with little material wealth in old age but rich in the love of friends who experienced his heart and depth of love under a strong exterior that guarded his heart.
His offer to help me changed the direction of my life for me and my family. Wayne introduced me to the aircraft industry. I had been a residential carpenter and after working for Wayne I retired as a corporate jet wood shop foreman. I learned a new craft working for him which led to a major relocation from west to east coast, where my parents lived in their twilight years. My wife, Olivia and I have many years of fond memories living the good life with old WBD!
He was one of a kind. I’m glad he was a part of my life and family until the very end of his earthly journey.
Until we meet again,
Michael Adams
___________
To Wayne, my dear friend from
Larry Fischer, Esq. and shared prior to his departing flight for heaven…
You have always brought a fun energy with you whenever we spent time together over the many decades of our friendship. I always appreciated your sharp mind, wit and intellect. I also remember what a great Dad you were when your daughter Courtney was young. I watched as you spent so much time together during her tender years when she needed a “good Dad” to influence and love her.
The Bible you gave me in 1983 or so is still my primary, much used Bible. It was during those years of 1983 and 1984 that Wayne and I were the closest. I’ve carried this Bible through thick and thin for 40 years now. It was the nicest Bible anyone ever gave me and one I’ll carry and cherish til God takes me home too.
I look forward to spending time with you in eternity when we can jump for joy, run like a deer, sing praises with melodious voices, hug like teenagers and lend a helping hand in the Lord’s army forever … together.
May God’s perfect will be accomplished in you and for you my friend. Larry Fischer
____________
Wayne Donelly, Middleburg Virginia Fox Hunter remembered by Penny Denegre and Jeff Blue current Masters of the Middleburg Hunt. Also, the Masters when Wayne was hunting with the Middleburg Hunt…
"Wayne was a foxhunter of endless enthusiasm and energy. And how many foxhunters do you know who would joyfully clear trails in the middle of the night? Around 10 p.m., we would hear his distant bat-wing mower thrashing trails, while its headlights shot crazy beams of light in all directions. The next morning a sheepish Wayne would arrive on the doorstep asking for help to extricate his mower from a miscalculated creek crossing deep in the woods. We, Masters of the Middleburg Hunt, will always remember him for his generous support and love of our sport."
By Penny Denegre and Jeff Blue
Current Masters of the MiddleburgHunt.
____________
An old friend recently wrote…
I can’t wrap my head around why God allows this tormenting dying process to continue to a man who didn’t smoke, seldom drank, didn’t tolerate infidelity, in fact, would fire people who cheated on their partners. He gave his children and the mother of his children a lavish life while he generously took care of his elderly parents until they passed. He is remembered by friends as a remarkable man who cared for many friends in need and generous to others.
All he wanted was to be loved. What more could God possibly expect of this man?
Surely, God will have a very special place for him in heaven, where he will be deeply loved, and there will be no sorrow or pain. Any donations in the memory of Wayne are to be made out to K9s For Warriors.
What’s your fondest memory of Wayne?
What’s a lesson you learned from Wayne?
Share a story where Wayne's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Wayne you’ll never forget.
How did Wayne make you smile?