James F. McDonnell, Sr., 82, of Allentown, died Nov. 6, 2014. He was the husband of Portia (Pescatore) McDonnell and they were soon to celebrate 58 years of marriage. Born in Springfield, Delaware County, he was second of six children of the late Thomas and Catherine (McNelis) McDonnell.

He graduated from West Catholic High and attended LaSalle and St. Joseph's colleges.

Despite being under the age of consent, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served with pride. After his military service, he entered law enforcement and was a decorated member of the Springfield Township Police Department. Shortly before his marriage, he began a distinguished 40-year career in management with the State Farm Insurance Company.

He was an active member of St. Thomas More parish, he coached CYO basketball and and was a Eucharistic minister.

He was a leader of the Doe Mountain Ski Patrol for many years. He enjoyed 45 years of family vacations on Martha's Vineyard and was a member and enjoyed golf at Lehigh Country Club.

He is survived by his wife; five children, Deborah and her husband Patrick Noone, Sharon and her husband Andrew Hubregsen, Sandra and her husband David Lessing, James F., Jr. and his wife Maria and Erin and her husband David Soergel; grandchildren, James and Meena Lessing, Alexander and Coco Allen, Portia and Lulu Hubregsen, and Griff, Cakie and James Soergel.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the St. Thomas More Memorial Fund Tuition Reimbursement, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown, 18103, or to the Worldwide Orphans Foundation, 515 Valley St., Suite 201, Maplewood, N.J., 07040, wwo.org.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 4 p.m. Nov. 12, in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1040 Flexer Ave., Allentown. A calling hour will be held 3 to 4 p.m. prior to the Mass in the church. Interment will be private. Arrangements were made by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown.