Elwin Donnelly : Obituary

Elwin William Donnelly, 83 years old, died on October 26, 2013 surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Helen Donnelly. He was born on May 24, 1930 in Berwyn, IL to Elwin and Ann Donnelly and was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richard Donnelly and James Donnelly. He is also survived by his first wife, Janet and their children Jennifer Bauman, husband Davis, Amye Donnelly, Wendy Donnelly, Becky Carraway, Ben Donnelly , and his wife, Hilary and eight grandchildren, Russell (Jessica), Austin and Reid Bauman, Peter Birch, Andrew (Carmen), Hannah, Adam and Ben Carraway and their father, Bruce Carraway. Al also leaves behind his wife Helen’s two sons, Jay (Sally) and Walter Lynn.

He received a Chicago Tribune Scholarship to Northwestern University in 1948 and that enabled him to pursue his dream of becoming a physician. He graduated from Northwestern in 1952 where he was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and from Northwestern medical school in 1955. He did his internship at Philadelphia General Hospital from 1955 to 1956. He served as a Captain in the US Army 1956-1958 and did his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital 1958-1961. He practiced radiology in Atlanta from 1961 to 1995. Elwin was Chairman of the Department of Radiology at Georgia Baptist Hospital 1974-1981. He was a founding member of the Georgia Gastroenterologic Society. He was a Fellow of the American College of Radiology, member of the Radiological Society of North America and a member and past president of the Atlanta Radiological Society. He was a founding partner of Diagnostic Imaging Specialists, PA.

Early in life, Al spent summers at his Aunt Mildred’s farm in Clermont County Ohio, where he developed a strong work ethic and a love of the land. He also encouraged this in his children as they spent many hours of their early years on a small farm in north Fulton County, GA. He loved fishing and walking the beaches at Longboat Key, Florida and St Simon’s Island GA and studied birds everywhere that he went. He also enjoyed spending time with his brother’s wife’s family in Cashes Valley Georgia where he considered himself an honorary member of the Callihan Clan.

His life was characterized by a never ending quest for knowledge. This led to a long and successful medical career and an ever expanding list of new and varied interests. He will be greatly missed by his family and the extended family of his sister in law Lucy Callihan Donnelly.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home in Blue Ridge, GA at 11:00 am with Rev. Susannah Davis and Dr. Larry Bauman officiating. Music provided by Austin Bauman. Military honors provided by the North Georgia Honor Guard. Interment will be at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Blue Ridge. His grandchildren will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearer is Callihan Donnelly.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 6-8 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given in Elwin Donnelly’s name to the Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Prkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525, or the Mt. Moriah Building Fund, 4127 Hwy 2, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.