ALBANY – Alexander P. McDonnell, 79, of Albany died on Monday, September 27, 2010 at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was born in New Rochelle on June 17, 1931, a son of Alexander and Anne Heffernan McDonnell and attended Regis High School. In the 1950’s, he served in the United States Air Force as an OSI officer and was stationed in French Morocco. As a graduate of George Washington University, he earned a B.A. in History.
He enjoyed a 45-year career in the computer field as a systems specialist primarily at Unisys. Although much of his computer work on government contracts remains classified, in the 1970’s he created systems integrating DMV records across states and a system for the Colorado State Police which enhanced patrol safety. For the past ten years, he was employed by the New York State Insurance Fund.
A devout Catholic, he was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus of Holy Family in Silver Spring, Maryland and served as a lector and trustee for many years at Holy Cross Church and then at All Saints Catholic Church in Albany. Alex enjoyed singing, traveling, giving tours of Washington, D.C. and gardening. Golf was his favorite pastime. At a young age, he caddied with his brothers and spent many happy hours on the links, most recently with the Knights of Columbus Golf League. He was involved with the New York State Golf Association as a Liaison.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Joan McDonnell, in 2008. He leaves seven children: Mary (Lee) Kohler, Anne McDonnell, Dan (Patty) McDonnell, Katie (Morgan) Ott, Trish (Jim) Henry, Jim (Karen) McDonnell, and John (Ellen) McDonnell. He was the brother of Tom McDonnell, Michael McDonnell, Claire Carroll, Donald McDonnell and the late Jack McDonnell. Survivors include 17 grandchildren and many friends.
The family will receive friends at Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave, Albany, New York 12203 on Friday, October 1 from 4 to 7 P.M. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday at 9:30 A.M. at All Saints Catholic Church, 1168 Western Avenue. Inurnment at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany New York 12203. The family is grateful to the staff at Albany Medical Center, especially on D4 East, and to the physicians at NYOH for their compassionate care.To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Jerry Carroll and family
Dear Mary, Anne, Dan, Katie, Jim, Trish, John, spouses and family,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Uncle Alex will always be remembered as a magnificant man. He was so very smart, so humble, and always so graciuos. I have always been honored to be his Godson. He now rests in Christ’s Heavenly embrace with Aunt Joan. He and my dear Patricia share a special date, Sept 27th, the day they both first met the Lord face to face….. I am sure he is with the Heavenly Hosts and there is rejoicing in Heaven as we mourn on Earth.
Requiescat in pace Uncle
Love,
Jerry II, Annie, Dina and Jerry III Carroll
Aiken, SC
Eileen Carney Joyette &Terence Joyette
Alex was a beautiful human being. Whenever he was present everyone knew that everything was going to be fine. And, if things were not going well , everyone knew that with Alex present , this is the best it can be and that THE SUN WILL BE SHINING BRIGHT TOMORROW. Alex will be missed by us all because of this.
But the memory of his BRIGHT LITE will shine a path for all of us
to follow as human beings.
We would like to express our CONDOLENCES TO ALL OF HIS FAMILY.
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SYMPATHY
Stephen Nelson
My deepest sympathies on your loss on behalf of my family and all the staff at NYSIF ITS who worked with Alex over the years. He was such an inspiration to all of us at NYSIF ITS who were young and inexperienced in life. He will be missed. God rest his soul.
Jianliang Tan
I feel surprised and sorry to have lost a co-worker so unexpectedly.
I am sending my greatest condolences to the family members of
Alex McDonnell.
Baikunth C Nayak
I knew and worked with Alex, as we popularly call him here in NYSIF, for the last 10 years. He was knowledgeable, sincere and helpful to colleagues. Above all he was a very warm and friendly person.
I offer my condolences to the family for this great loss. May his soul live in peace forever!!
Robert J. Fitz-James
I knew Alex from our time working at Unisys. He was a gentlemen, and my condolences go out to his family and close friends.
Edward Evans
Please accept my greatest sympathy on your loss. Alex and I worked together many years ago when he was in Rome, NY and have stayed in touch since. I enjoyed many fun rounds of golf with him and looked forward to working more closely with him in the New York State Golf Association.
Alex was a great story teller, and one story I enjoy telling had to do with him “ringing the bell” during a round of golf I played with him in Lake Placid several years ago. I hope he had told that story too. It’s a great memory.
Ed Evans
Michael Perkins
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I worked with Alex for many years and loved to hear him sing Irish songs and joke about having only 7 kids.
Jackie and Dan Meushaw
Katie and your family,
It is with deep sorrow to learn of your father’s passing! I am glad you were able to see him and know it was a comfort to him and yourself! Our condolences and prayers go out to your family and offer support to you in this difficult time! You know where you can find us!
Jackie and Dan Meushaw
Katie and your family,
It is with deep sorrow to learn of your father’s passing! I am glad you were able to see him and know it was a comfort to him and yourself! Our condolences and prayers go out to your family and offer support to you in this difficult time! You know where you can find us!
Always Dan and Jackie
Padraig Walshe.
Sincere sympathy is extended tp the family of Alex on his death. A mass will be offered for the repose of his soul. From Maura Walshe, Brid McDermott and family, Bunnahowen,Ballina, Co. Mayo. Ireland and Padraig Walshe and family 7,Blackcastle, Navan, Co. Meath Ireland.
Dee Dee Fraley
The McDonnell Family,
My deepest sympathy to you. Your father was a great person. He was very knowledgeable, easy to talk to, kind and fun to be around. He will truly be missed.
Elias Boudiwan
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and since condolences on the loss of Alex. You have lost and we all have lost a special and a great man..
The shocking news of the loss of Alex hit me hard. I did not have the chance and the opportunity to see him and say farewell, there was no time for me to thank him and say goodbye and share my gratitude and feelings, but he was gone before I knew it. If I had the opportunity to see him before his passing to heaven, I would have thanked him for everything, I would have told him, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand and that I count on his help to get me to heaven.
I have had the priviledge and honor to know Alex for over 25 years. Alex is simply a great man, a man of honor, of principles, of courage,and of compassion, among other valuies and qualities. I have learned many things from Alex over the years, I will cherish every moment I shared with him. He mentored me, when I first started with Burroughs, he took me under his wings, he helped me, he respected me, he taught me a lot of things not just about computers, software and technologies but more impotantly about life in general. Alex was a man of wisdom, of knowledge, of telorance. He had many funny comments that made me laugh and put a smile on my face and the face of others. I have a lot more to say about an honorable, faithful, honest and a distinguished man in every respect. I surely will miss Alex and all that he meant to me. I will cherish every moment, I will remember and always remind myself of his words of wisdom and advice. The world has lost a good man who has great compassion for his fellow human beings. Alex may be gone from our sight, but he will not be forgotten, the special memories will always be cherished and his spirit will live with us, and he will be forever in our heart.
Alex my dear friend, mentor, I will surely miss you. You are and will always stay in my heart, mind and soul. With love and respect, I bow my head to you, and may your soul rest in peace with God.
Your little Lebanese born friend, Elias as you use to tell me.
I would like to share this poem with you in memory of Alex:
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For some the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with the lord
I know that Alex is with the Lord.
May God give you comfort, strength and faith to deal with your loss. Again, my hearfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to Alex’s family and to all of his friends and colleagues. Elias Boudiwan
R Mohan
Alex McDonnell’s passing away is a terrible shock for all of his coworkers. Alex McDonnell will be very much missed by all us at NYSIF. He is a wonderful person and a great source of inspiration. Alex is always cheerful and lively with his chat with everyone around him.
My deepest condelences to his near and dear bereaved family members. I pray for his gentle soul to rest in peace.
Cheryl Morris
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Alex. I knew him for many years at Unisys and considered him a “mentor” to me in many ways. He was beloved by all at Unsiys as he was a very intelligent and gracious human being. I know he will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.
Please accept my sincere gondoleences.
Sujit Dutta
My deepest sympathies to the family of Alex. I had the opportunity of working with him at NYSIF for almost 10 years. Apart from being a great person to work with, I still remember how he used to regale us with his stories whenever we got to meet after work.
It was with deep sorrow to learn of his passing away. Alex and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
diane garelick
we are very sorry for your loss. our thought and prayers are with you at this time. fondly, Harry and Diane Garelick
Dorothy & Don Cullen
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the passing of your father. We have fond memories of your family when you were our neighbors in Oxon Hill, Md and the McDonnell’s family reunion at Virginia Beach a few years ago.
We know he is with the LORD and we hope to see him again.
Father Tony Childs
Dear McDonnell Family – – I hope you may remember me, Tony Childs and my family – – from around the corner on Marion Avenue and our mutual friendship with the Yund Family. I want to offer my heartfelt condolences at Alex’s death. Your dad was a wonderful person and indeed a devout Catholic. He is a great man of faith and a fine example to follow! I only learned of his death just recently and regret not being able to offer my sympathy sooner. Know of my prayers and best wishes for you all. God bless and take care. Tony Childs
South Glens Falls, NY