Morley Donnelly

February 15, 1951 ~ July 7, 2023

It is with profound sadness that the family of William Morley Donnelly, announce his passing on Friday, July 7, 2023, after losing his battle with cancer. Morley was born on February 15, 1951, in Gladstone, Manitoba. He was the youngest of five children and, as is the case with all rural children, helped on the farm in his younger years. After high school, Morley worked in northern Manitoba and developed his love for Corvettes. Always the envy of his many friends in his hometown cruising in his Corvette when he was home on his days off. In 1978, Morley married Patty (Patricia) Meloney and moved to Medicine Hat. Working as a grader operator building roads throughout Alberta, Patty and Morley bought a home in the small rural community of Seven Persons and raised their three children with the same small-town values as their own upbringing. Morley loved his Labrador dogs and hunting prairie chickens and ducks on his limited time off work. With huge demands on his work time taking him away from his family over the road building season, he became a supervisor for South Rock Construction in April 1989 and remained with the company for 27 years. During that time he was involved in the road construction industry from Ontario to British Columbia, including the building of the Coquihalla Highway in BC. He had a reputation for being a tough but fair boss, that always had time to listen and solve all the issues if possible. Morley’s own children and many of his nieces and nephews worked on his crews and are far better people because of it, always having very good Morley stories to tell and “Morley Wisdom” to share. Patty and Morley travelled a great deal in the winter months and have seen pretty much every state in the US as well as every province in Canada. They both thoroughly enjoyed these getaways and even did the Panama Canal cruise. However, the highlight of his travelling was a trip to Disneyland with his children and grandchildren. He loved watching the excitement and wonder on their faces seeing their favourite Disney characters. His grandchildren were truly his pride and joy. Moving back to Medicine Hat five years ago, Morley was able to slow down his work life and enjoyed his time with his children and grandchildren. Planting a garden at his daughter Nicole’s, making his family his famous salsa sauce and cooking for family and friends, a pastime he was very good at and enjoyed by all. He always retained his love of Corvettes and to this day, there is a Corvette in the garage. Summer cruising was always an important part of his life. Morley is survived by the love of his life, Patty; three children: son, Derrick (Deanna) and grandsons, Wyatt and Hudson; son, Sean, (Cassie) and grandson, Connor; daughter, Nicole (Craig) and granddaughter, Maddison, and grandson Cash; sisters, Louise Shelestynski and Kay; brother-in-law, Wayne Ward; sister-in-law, Janette Donnelly; mother-in-law, Phyllis Meloney; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in law, nieces and nephews with which he had a special bond. Morley was predeceased by his mom, Katie and father, Jack; sister, Joyce McCaskill and brother-in-law, Glenn; nephew, Ron McCaskill; brother, Barry and brother-in-law, Joe Shelestynski. Morley was one of a kind, always a lifelong friend to all that crossed his path and a wonderful family man that we all relied on for his candor and “just the facts”. We miss him so much already and always will. For now, we know he is building roads for all of us that follow and will make sure our journey to see him again is a smooth one. Rest in peace Morley, we love you! A Celebration of Life will be held in the Grandstand Banquet Room on the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds, 2055 – 21 Avenue S.E., Medicine Hat on Thursday, August 3, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 pm. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations in memory of Morley, to be made directly to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada), 235 Yorkland Blvd #600, North York, ON, M2J 4Y8. Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455

• Date : 2023-07-07
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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