Timothy Michael Donnelly

Timothy Donnelly was born on September 30, 1983 and grew up in Broken Arrow, the fourth child of Deacon John and Peggy Donnelly. He was baptized by his uncle, Father Timothy Donnelly OSB, on October 22, 1983 at Saint Benedict Church, where he continued his religious formation during his childhood and high school years. As a child and adult, Tim loved sports, especially football and baseball, and faithfully followed his favorite teams -- the Oklahoma Sooners, Dallas Cowboys and Boston Red Sox. Tim attended Broken Arrow High School and graduated from the University of Oklahoma Price School of Business, where he obtained a degree in International Business with a minor in Spanish. Tim began his career with Hilti in Inside Sales in Tulsa, then, after moving to California, he continued in the role of Account Manager in the San Francisco Bay area. Eventually he was promoted into a Divisional Project Manager position where he worked with customers on some of the largest construction projects on the West Coast. Timothy and his wife Marci were married on September 10, 2016 by Tim’s deceased father, Deacon John Donnelly, and they lived in Livermore and Pleasanton, California with their son Micah Joseph. Timothy was passionate about many things. He loved talking with people and learning about new cultures and the adventures of travel. In his leisure time, Tim enjoyed attending live music concerts, hiking in the Redwood Forests, playing with his family at the beach, and most of all, gardening. Tim was a gifted gardener and was never happier than when digging his garden, planting his vegetables, and harvesting his amazing garden produce. For most of his adult life, unfortunately, Tim struggled with the disease of addiction. Despite his valiant efforts to overcome this deadly disease, it eventually took his life. Timothy passed to Eternal Life on September 10, 2020. His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on his 37th birthday, September 30, 2020, at St. Augustine Church in Pleasanton, California. He was buried the next day at Queen of Heaven cemetery in Lafayette, California. Timothy is survived by his wife Marci, and their son Micah and stepsons Zach and Anthony of San Ramon, California; his mother Peggy Donnelly of Broken Arrow; and, his siblings, Erin Donnelly Michos M.D. of Clarksville, Maryland; Meghan Donnelly of Dallas, Texas; Patrick Donnelly PhD of Bend, Oregon; and Brian Donnelly of Tulsa. Eulogy Timothy Michael Donnelly September 30, 1983- September 10, 2020 On behalf of my mother, Peggy, my siblings, Erin, Meghan, Patrick and myself, Timothy’s wife, Marci, and their son, Micah Joseph, I would like to thank you for coming today as we remember Timothy, offer prayers for him, and celebrate his birth to Eternal Life. We gather to remember Tim as son, brother, husband, dad, colleague, and family friend. In his short lifetime, Tim fulfilled all these roles, yet there was much more to Tim that others may not have known. His wife Marci described him “as one of the most gentle, kindhearted, and nurturing people she has ever known.” In her own words, Tim was “bright, driven, and passionate about many things, and, above all, about the people he loved most—his family. Tragically, Tim struggled with the disease of addiction. Despite his valiant efforts to overcome this deadly disease, it eventually took his life. In a letter that he wrote last December to his wife, Marci, Tim remarked about the rapid progression of his disease: “It’s crazy how it took much less time and happened much faster to cause such a disruptive wave (in our lives.) I suppose that’s because I had more to lose.” Yet the son, brother, husband, dad, colleague and friend that we remember today was so much more than his disease. The disease of addiction did not define him. However, rather than talk about Tim, I would like to let his own words to some of the people he cared most about reveal the tender hearted soul that we remember today. 1) First of all, a letter written to his son Micah on the occasion of his second birthday: Happy Birthday, Micah I can’t believe two years have passed since you came into this world. Time flies so quickly. I am sure you will be wanting money and car keys before I know it! I wish I could hit the pause button so you could stay my little “Booga Boo” forever. From the moment I first saw you, my heart found a new and different kind of love that I never thought could be possible. We enjoy watching you grow up and developing all your little quirks that make you so special. I cannot express the joy you have given to us. You have shown me the true meaning of life. Picking you up and cuddling you in my arms, looking into your eyes and being smitten by your charms—I could enjoy these beautiful moments forever! Happy second birthday to the most joyful, happy kid that I know. (Pause) 2) Second, the beautiful anniversary card which Tim’s untimely death prevented him from giving to his wife, Marci, the very next day. To My Beloved Wife Marci September 10, 2020 I am so grateful you’re my Wife. I just want to thank you for being the love of my life… For making me laugh and making me happy And giving me the best of yourself always. For everything you’ve put up with about me And making me a better man than I’d have ever been without you. And I want to thank you for being my wife. For being my partner, My soulmate, For sharing this journey with me, And for all the good things still ahead of us. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Happy Anniversary! (Pause) 3) Third, a memorable birthday card that he sent to our mother, Peggy: For My Mom Birthday Card from Timothy 10/28/2015 You’re still the one I turn to when I need help making sense of my life… Still the one I call when I have a quick question or funny story to share… Still the one who has all the answers, gives the best advice, and knows me better than just about anyone… I love to share with you our mutual passion for baseball, gardening, and cooking. I just want you to know the bond we share means everything to me. I don’t open up a whole lot, but I know I can with you. I just want to thank you for all the time you have devoted to me and to the family. Thank you for always being there for me as you have always supported my dreams and encouraged me to push on when I am down. You’re still one of the most important people in my world, Mom— And I hope you always know how much I love you. (Pause) 4) And finally, in closing, I would like to share a message from St. Benedict’s former pastor, Father Joe Townsend, who unfortunately was unable to be here today. Remembrances of Tim By Father Joe Townsend I first met Timothy when I came to Saint Benedict and, at first, I would see him at Mass and then later got to know more about his life, his joys, his sorrows, his hopes and dreams and his personal struggles that, at different times, would be overwhelming. I knew Timothy at the times in his life where he would be able to overcome the temptations, anxiety and struggles, and I also knew Timothy when they would overcome Timothy. I knew him when he was in the light and when he was in the darkness. But at both, the good and bad, times of his life, Timothy was a young man who desired to be good, loving and caring and whose heart held his family and loved ones deeply, even when he was unable to show his goodness or love or care for them. The last time I had any communication with Timothy was when he was in a halfway home in California, where he was trying to purge his demons from his life so that he could be what I know he wanted to be, a good husband and father and family man. I wrote to Timothy reminding him of the Lord’s love for him and how the Lord was present, had been present, and will always be present to hold him and love him. I hope Timothy took that message to heart, and I believe he did, deep down inside. And I believe the Lord, even more than ever, is holding onto him and loving him and taking him to a place of light, happiness and peace. I will miss his smile and his presence, but I know the Lord’s presence and goodness will bring Timothy to me each and every time I offer a Mass or say a prayer for him. May Timothy rest in peace, and may his wife Marci, his son Micah, Peggy and his family know that same peace which, I pray and hope and believe, Timothy is now knowing and experiencing.

Tributes

Timothy Michael Donnelly

September 30, 1983 - September 10, 2020