John Norbert Donnellon

Retired Colonel John Norbert Donnellon, United States Air Force of Aurora, Colorado, formerly of Albuquerque, New Mexico died at his home on January 23, 2025. Burial will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver Colorado with full military honors on February 07, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. 

John was born on 06 June 1929 in Ozone Park, Long Island, New York to John and Jane (Guilfoyle) Donnellon. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School, Bronx, NY and entered the US Maritime Training Center at St. Petersburg, FL. Upon graduating, he served aboard tankers of the ESSO Company. He was appointed a Cadet-Midshipman at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. After the Academy, he joined the US Navy during the Korean War. After completing his service in the Navy, he joined the United States Air Force and was directly commissioned as First Lieutenant. He served in numerous positions while serving in the US Air Force. 

His tours of duty included the Middle East and Europe. He retired in 1989 as a Colonel after serving 37 years in the military. After his retirement, he served as commanding General of the New Mexico State Defense Force. He retired from that organization as Major General. His military awards and decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, numerous other awards including the New York Conspicuous Service Cross and the New Mexico Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He was a graduate of the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, Naval War College, National Defense University, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. 

His civilian education was as follows: BS in Business Administration from Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY; MA in Business Administration from Highland University, Las Vegas, NM and a PhD in Business Administration from California Coast University, Santa Ana, CA. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he joined the US Navy Sealift Command as a civilian marine engineer. He served aboard their vessels both in the Far East and in the Middle East. When he was deemed too old to continue serving with the Military Sealift Command, he joined Raytheon Polar Services Company in Centennial, CO and spent three tours of duty at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. 

He has been active in many organizations. He served as Master of the Masonic Steppingstone Lodge #1141 in Great Neck, NY; was President of the Towne Park Homeowner Association in Albuquerque, NM: President of the Albuquerque Toastmasters Club #122, Albuquerque, NM. He was a member of Toastmasters International and attained the status of Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) twice. He served as a delegate for the Heritage Eagle Bend community of Aurora, CO. 

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly sixty years, Mignon and daughter Christina Martin. He is survived by his sons David and Charles Donnellon and daughter Kathy Sherrard, sisters Mary Murphy and Ann Kennedy, brother Frank Donnellon, grandchildren Maxine Ogo Donnellon, Crystal Deans, Patricia Martin, Hunter Sherrard, Allison Donnellon and John Grant Donnellon.