He was born October 22, 1917 in Dunmore, the son of the late Thomas J. and Susan Eckman McDonnell. He was a lifelong member of St. Mary's of Mount Carmel Church, Dunmore, the Holy Name Society and sang in the choir. He graduated from Dunmore High School, Class of 1935, graduated from the American Academy of Mortuary Science, New York City, Class of 1937 and attended the University of Scranton. He served with the US Navy as a Pharmacists Mate 2^nd class during World War II and was stationed in Okinawa. He was one of the oldest Funeral Directors in Lackawanna County, a former member of the Lackawanna County Funeral Directors Association, the V.F.W., McHugh-Bushweiller, Post #3474, Dunmore and the Big 10 Social Club. Prior to retirement he owned and operated the McDonnell Funeral Home in Dunmore and was associated with many funeral directors throughout Lackawanna County.

    Also surviving are a son Harry P. McDonnell and his wife Linda, Shavertown; three daughters, Carol Giannavola and her husband Robert, Healdsburg, CA, Linda Serplus, Scranton, Patricia Pusateri and her husband Joseph, Dunmore; a brother, Richard McDonnell, West Hartfield, CT; two sisters, Bernice Schlesinger, Bloomfield, CT, Rita Riccardo, Dunmore; seven grandchildren, Michael McDonnell, Brienne Giannavola, Melissa Giannavola, Kati Serplus, Brian Pusateri, Christine Pusateri and Jeffrey Pusateri; three great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Thomas J. McDonnell; three sisters, Sara Gorman, Mary Israel and Miriam Cummings.

    The Funeral will be Saturday with Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary's of Mount Carmel Church, 322 Chestnut Street, Dunmore. Interment, Dunmore Cemetery, Dunmore. Those attending the mass are asked to go directly to the church.

    Friends may call Friday 5 to 8 p.m. in the Miller Bean Funeral Home, Inc., 436 Cedar Avenue. Memorial contributions should be made to the donors favorite charity in his memory.