Foxborough Obituary: Joseph D. 'Dud' McDonnell

Editor's note: The following obituary is courtesy of Roberts & Sons Funeral Home.

Joseph “Dud” McDonnell, age 93, died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012 at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro. He was the son of the late Peter and Margaret (Greene) McDonnell.

McDonnell was born in Charlestown on Dec. 6, 1918 and was educated in Boston Public Schools. He proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the US Army during WWII. He married his wife Frances on Feb. 9, 1948 at St. Cecelia Church in Boston.

He was a longtime Foxborough resident.

McDonnell was the owner and operator of the Harvard and Marian Mobil Station in Brookline until his retirement in 1982. McDonnell was an avid cribbage player and New England sports fan. He was a longtime New England Patriots season ticket holder and enjoyed golf. He was a devoted father and grandfather.

Husband of the late Frances (Menella) McDonnell. Beloved father of Margaret “Peggy” Callahan and her husband Paul of Foxborough, Irene McDonnell of Boston, Joseph and Joanne McDonnell of Foxborough, James McDonnell and his wife Katherine of Kentucky and Anne Murphy and her husband Frank of Mansfield. Also survived by nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral Information

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 30 South St., Foxborough. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 58 Carpenter St., Foxborough. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Foxborough with US Army honors. For additional information please contact (508) 543-5471. To light a special candle in McDonnell’s memory please visit the funeral home's website at www.robertsandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Donations Information

If you wish donations in Joseph’s memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.