Donnelly, William, F., 86, formerly of Arrowhead Avenue, Riverside, died peacefully on August 1, 2016 at the Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam, CT. He was the beloved husband of Ella F. (Gray) Donnelly and the late Margaret Plant.

Born in Providence, a son of the late William H. and Colette (Connors) Donnelly, he lived in Riverside for many years and Danielson, CT for the past 10 years.

Bill was employed in sales at Mercury Mail Advertising for twenty years when he opened Donnelly Photography and Fast Foto in 1984 and remained working as a professional photographer until July, 2016. As the man behind the camera, he provided lasting memories for many people over the years.

He is a former communicant of St Brendan’s and was the first president of the St. Brendan’s Parish Council in 1975. He has been active in numerous civic organizations as a former president of Parents without Partners and Rhode Island Ad Club; board member of the East Providence Chamber of Commerce; and member of the Rhode Island Photography Association, Lasalle Alumni and Providence College Alumni. Most notably he has been a member in the East Providence/Seekonk Rotary for 37 years and is a past president and recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He has received numerous awards for achievement and participation including the Walter Cryan Award from Meeting Street School in 1999; a lifetime membership for services to The Community Players and was honored on June 28, 2016 with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the East Providence Seekonk Rotary.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Patricia Reidy of Cotuit MA and her husband David, Colleen Martino of Westerly RI and her husband Robert and Kathleen Heffernan of North Richland Hills Texas; five grandchildren Meghan, Shaelah, Patrick, Nicholas, Lauren ; and two great grandchildren Henry and Eloise. He was the brother of the late Raymond J Donnelly.

His funeral will be held on Friday August 5, 2016 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 8:45 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Brendan Church, Turner Avenue, Riverside at 10 a.m.

Calling hours are Thursday 4-8 p.m. Contributions in Bill’s memory to the East Providence-Seekonk Rotary Club, P.O. Box 14303, East Providence, RI, 02914 would be deeply appreciated.