John V. Donnelly - Partner Canning, Cody, Donnelly, Herzog, and McNamara
10494 Lake Shore Boulevard
John Donnelly was a prominent trial lawyer, Bratenahl school board member, and Democratic activist. He served as president of the Cleveland Academy of Trial Lawyers and vice president of the Bratenahl school board. He ran several times for other public offices, including the Ohio General Assembly and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Mr. Donnelly served a term as foreman of the grand jury in 1971. He issued a report calling for the upgrading of the County Jail.
John V. Donnelly was born July 18, 1922, to James and Mary Irene Donnelly. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1940. After graduation, he served with the U.S. Army in New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. Following the war, he earned a bachelor's degree at John Carroll University in 1949 and a law degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School in 1954.
Donnelly became a partner in the law firm of Canning, Cody, Donnelly, Herzog, and McNamara. The Delta Theta Phi law fraternity named him the man of the year in 1985.
On August 9, 1958, John married Eileen M. Byrne, a law partner in the firm. They had three children: Deidre Ann, Sean, and Patrick. They all attended the Bratenahl School. Eileen died of a sudden illness on March 22, 1970. John later married Phyllis C. Beswick.
John served on the board of St. Ignatius and John Carroll alumni groups. He was an avid golfer, boating enthusiast, and traveler.
John V. Donnelly died on July 15, 1990, of heart disease at his Bratenahl home at 10494 Lake Shore Boulevard. Both John and Eileen are buried in Calvary Cemetery.