Lawrence E. Donley

Lawrence Edward Donley, affectionately known as “Skip” grew up in Albany, NY on Green Street.  The son of Lawrence Grey and Magnolia Donley, Skip completed his education at St. Joseph’s Academy where he was an avid basketball player. 

In 1992, Skip married the love of his life, LaRhonda Faye Jones and moved to Selkirk, NY. They raised one son, Tamas Donley and also brought Christopher Brown into their home to raise nearly three years ago.  

Skip retired from Friehofer’s Bakery after 29 years of service. He enjoyed his retirement traveling with his wife LaRhonda, bird watching, taking care of his property;cutting the lawn and tending to the flower garden as well as overseeing the renovations in his home.  He also took pleasure in being home when Christopher returned from school.

Skip was passionate about keeping up with current affairs.  He could talk with anyone about Black history, all different sports events, politics, old school Rhythm and Blues music and he loved talking about living on Green Street.  Although his family may say he could not dance, Skip knew he was the bomb and the best that ever did it.  He had his own kind of “Skip style of dancing.” He loved to tell jokes and give people nicknames. He also loved to go to the driving range to practice his golf swing.  

Skip enjoyed entertaining his family and friends at his home.  After the many BBQ’s and other get togethers, you could always find Skip cleaning up after everybody. One thing you would hear Skip telling people, “Take off your shoes in the house.”  

Skip was preceded in death by his mother Magnolia Donley and father Lawrence Grey, brother, Jamie Donley and sisters, Annie Turner and Davie Donley.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, LaRhondaFaye Donley of Selkirk, NY; a son Tamas Donley, of Selkirk, NY; two brothers-in-law, John F. Jones, Jr. (Brenda) of Selkirk, NY, Raymond Turner of Albany, NY and his sister-in-law Wanda McIntosh (Ray) of Albany, NY; three sisters Ethel Donley, Maggie Donley and ZeZat Donley of Albany, NY; three brothers John Donley (Penny) of Watervliet, NY, Kermit Smith of Schenectady, NY, two aunts Mary R. Carter of Albany, NY, Ollie Williams in California and one uncle, Arthur Williams of California;  special friend Stanley Tune of Albany, NY and special friend, Keith Tatum, of Worcester, MA. In addition, he leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins to cherish his memory.  

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal”

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