Richard J. Donatelle

PORTLAND Richard Joseph Donatelle, 93, of Portland, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2017. Richard was born and raised in Portland, the youngest of ten children to Giuseppe and Elvira (DiGregorio) Donatelle of Abruzzo, Italy. Richard graduated from Portland High School in 1943. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served honorably in World War II throughout Europe with the 168th Combat Engineering Battalion, Company C from June of 1943 to December of 1945. His Company received a Presidential Unit Citation for its service in the U.S. Army campaigns through Northern France, the Rhineland, Central Europe and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the U.S. Army Medal of Good Conduct, was honorably discharged and was a proud veteran throughout his long life. Richard began his career as a bricklayer and stonemason, and quickly advanced to construction superintendent. He was proud of his work with The Profenno Construction Company, Stebbins Engineering and Cunningham Construction. He later went on to found his own construction company, Malia Construction with his brother John and brother-in-law James Malia. His work can be seen throughout the Greater Portland area from commercial buildings to sidewalks trailing through Portlands Congress Street. Richard retired from construction in 1977. He was a proud member of The International Union of Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers for over 60 years. Richard was predeceased by his loving wife, Jeanette Donatelle. He leaves behind a son, Emery Donatelle and his wife Eileen of Portland, and their two children, Alexander and Elizabeth. He also leaves behind a daughter, Gina Kelley and her husband Richard of St Louis, MO, their three daughters Lindsey, Kristina and Meghann, and a great-granddaughter, Olivia. He lived a life full of good food, great wine, and even better company. He will be deeply missed by friends and family alike. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4-7PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 9:15AM followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. Arrangements are under the guidance of Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Homes, proudly serving the Veterans of Greater Portland. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimers Association Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough,ME04074, in honor of his wife, Jeanette Donatelle.