Robert Edward Donnelly, Sr.

Robert E. Donnelly, Sr., age 97 of Pompton Plains died Monday, December 29, 2025.  He was born and lived his childhood years in Midland Park, New Jersey, with his sister and five brothers while his father was a naval sea captain. 

Upon graduation from Pompton Lakes High School, he joined the U.S. Navy as did his five brothers, was stationed aboard the USS New Kent, and was awarded a World War II Victory Medal.  He then attended Ridgewood Secretarial School where he found his interest in accounting.   He joined Marlow Pumps in Midland Park and worked as a Cost Accountant and Assistant Comptroller.  He attended Fairleigh Dickinson University at night for six to seven years while working towards his degree in accounting.  After ITT acquired Marlow Pumps, he continued working with the company until his retirement, including two years as Comptroller for an ITT pump company in Costa Mesa, California, and then at ITT Headquarters in New York City as Director of Financial Controls for a large group of ITT companies in the United States, Canada and Europe.  After retirement, he became an IRS enrolled agent and worked part time from his home.

He married his wife Joan at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wyckoff and was married for 65 years until her death in 2018.  They met at the Wyckoff Grange, and they competed in the finals of the polka division of the Harvest Moon Ball at Madison Square Garden.  They enjoyed folk dancing, especially German Schuhplattler, so much so that they founded a dance group that still exists today.  Bob was founding President and Honorary Vorplatter (dance leader) of the Edelweiss Passaic Schuhplattler Verein.  He was a member of the Mercedes Club of North America and the Garden State Model Boat Club, having built a scale model of a Chris Craft motor yacht in 1954.

Surviving are his children, Ellen Mayer and her husband Edward of Midland Park and Robert Donnelly, Jr. and his wife Karen of Bel Air, Maryland.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Edward and his wife Krissy, Michael and his wife Carolyn, Kelly and her wife, Crissi, and Jenn, and three great granddaughters, Mariella, Carlina and Ellie.

A private service will be held at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.  A memorial service will be scheduled at a future date.

Donations in Robert's memory can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation.

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