Gary E. Donnelly

Gary E. Donnelly, 67, of Randolph, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by love and family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary was born in Brighton, MA at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. He attended Don Bosco High School in Boston. After graduation, he started his education at Northeastern University. His adventurous spirit led him to move across country to Oakland, CA where he trained in camera repair at Cuddeback camera and spent some time in Hawaii working in the camera repair business. Upon his return to Massachusetts, he went to work for Sanford Camera Repair in Arlington where he worked for 42 years, eventually becoming the owner of the business six years ago.

Gary took great pride in his work. He loved doing camera repair and enjoyed both the challenge of fixing problems and the reward of serving his customers.

In 1986 he married his wife of 34 years, Patty. Gary and Patty welcomed their daughter in 1994. Gary was a devoted father to Jessica. He was the perfect "Daddy's-girl" Dad who was known for taking Jessica and her friends anywhere and everywhere they wanted to go.

Above all Gary was a family man. Spending time with his wife, daughter, mother, brothers, sisters and extended family was a priority and source of great happiness.

Gary loved taking care of his home. He meticulously manicured the lawn, enjoyed breaking out the snow blower in a storm, tended the garden and no repair was too big for him to conquer.

Gary was a kind and caring man. He was genuine, with a quick wit and an infectious laugh. He spoke his mind and could be a little stubborn but he was the first to offer his help to anyone who needed it. Gary was easy to talk to and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Gary was a cherished son of Andrea (Baker) Bakish and her late husband John of Randolph and was preceded in death by his father Joseph Leo Donnelly. He was the dear brother of Leo Donnelly and his wife Dotty, Stephen Donnelly and his wife Pat, Jimmy Donnelly, Dianne Famolare and her husband Anthony, Andrea Boudreau and her husband Jim, and Teri Donnelly. He was the brother-in-law of Patty Donnelly and was preceded in death by his brother Brian. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and close friends.

Due to Covid Restrictions, Private Family Services will be held with a Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church in Randolph and burial at Mt. Benedict Cemetery in Boston. Donations in Gary's name may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.