A memorial service will be held Thursday, 2/25, for John Donnelly,
a prominent psychiatrist from West Hartford who lectured frequently
about social ills while chief of the Institute of Living from
1965 to 1979.
"John Donnelly was one of the great figures in psychiatry.
Working for him and being taught by him was a demanding experience,
but one that was made worthwhile and tolerable by his enormous
humanity," said Austin McCawley of West Hartford, a longtime
colleague and friend.
Dr. Donnelly, who died Thursday, 2/18, at age 84, was born and
educated in England. He received his medical degree from the University
of Liverpool Medical School in 1938 and began his training tin
psychiatry in London at the end of World War II.
He received his degree in psychological medicine in 1948, and
a year later joined the staff of the Institute of Living in Hartford.
In 1956, he was appointed medical direct. Dr. Donnelly became
the institute's psychiatrist-in-chief and chief executive officer
in 1965, titles he held until his retirement in 1979. He remained
active as senior consultant until 1984.
Dr. Donnelly belonged to numerous professional associations, including
the American Psychiatric Association.
While psychiatrist-in-chief and medical director of the Institute
of Living, Dr. Donnelly lectured regularly about societal problems
ranging from racial division to the proliferation of mind-altering
drugs.
"He was a very energized person. He was very much involved
in a lot of associations, and he was able to be because he was
a quick read on just about anything he picked up," said Martin
Reznikoff of Stamford, former head of the psychology department
at the Institute of Living. "In addition to being an excellent
administrator and conceptualizer, he was also a very fine clinician."
Dr. Donnelly had an interest in forensic psychiatry and was called
on several times to help police and trial lawyers. In September
1968, for example, he told Hartford police how to defuse a 28-year-old
man who had threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend during a standoff
at a Main Street restaurant.
Academically, Dr. Donnelly received many awards, was associated
with Trinity College, the University of Connecticut School of
Medicine and Yale University School of Medicine.
Survivors include his wife, Mabel Donnelly of West Hartford; a
daughter, Dr. Mavis J. Donnelly of Arizona; and a son, Dr. James
M. Donnelly of Leads, Mass. The memorial service will be at 11
a.m. Thursday, 2/22, at St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford.
There are no calling hours. Burial will be private.
From the Hartford, CT "Hartford Courant"
Monday, Feb 22, 1999