Mr. Bruce E. Donatelli

Bruce Edmund Donatelli, 81, died on February 28, 2024, at his home in Lexington, SC surrounded by family. Born in Los Angeles, CA, on May 26, 1942, he was the son of the late Judge Victor Edmund Donatelli and Doris McCormick Donatelli. He was a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles receiving a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1965, Tau Beta Pi; and an MBA in Economics in 1967. In 1964, while at UCLA, he was a cadet Colonel in the United States Army ROTC and ranking officer at the February 1964 graduation ceremonies where he was an escort officer for President Lyndon Johnson, just four months after scheduled speaker President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Following his graduation from UCLA, he went on to serve in the United States Army. He rose to the rank of Captain and served in the Army in many capacities during the Cold War including as Captain and Commanding Officer, 579th Ordnance Company, Neu Ulm Germany, a battalion size unit with a Major grade commander and the only general support unit in Western Europe for the Pershing nuclear missile system. Following his retirement from the Army in 1971, he worked as a management executive and director for manufacturing companies in the private sector. His career was spent with Babcock & Wilcox in Beaver Falls, PA; Edgewater Steel in York, SC; Triangle Tools in Orangeburg, SC; and Harsco Track Technologies in West Columbia, SC. After retirement from Harsco in 2007, he became a consultant to manufacturing companies and educational institutions conducting safety audits, and teaching behavioral safety and prevention of injuries, not only in the workplace but at home and on the highway. As an industrial leader and expert in manufacturing, he testified in front of the US Senate Banking and Finance Committee on manufacturing, steelmaking, raw materials trade, tariff protections, and import and export controls. He served on SC Governor Carrol Campbell’s Private Industry Council. He was actively involved in Rotary, Toastmasters, the York County Chamber of Commerce, and the Lexington County Chamber of Commerce. Bruce devoted his life to service for others, and his love language was “acts of service.” He volunteered with numerous organizations throughout his life. He served as a Board member of the Volunteers of America Carolinas. Literacy was a particular passion and he proudly served Turning Pages and the Greater Columbia SC Literacy Council as a twenty-five yearlong member of the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the York County Children’s Theater. Bruce’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of his life. He first came to Christ while a student at UCLA via Campus Crusade for Christ. He served as an Elder at Chippewa United Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls, PA; an Elder and volunteer youth minister at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Rock Hill, SC; a member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Irmo, SC; a member of Lexington Presbyterian Church (PCA) where he was called to chair the Missions to North America committee; and First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, SC (ARP.) He also taught Sunday School for many years. Bruce was a fantastic handyman who could build or fix anything. When his children were young, he designed and built them dollhouses and castles for toy soldiers. He fixed the cars of friends and acquaintances when they could not afford to hire a mechanic. He loved helping family and friends with projects around their homes from exceptionally large projects such as a gut kitchen renovation, to fixing a squeaky door. He was on a team which built two Cockabooses at South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium. Above all Bruce loved and treasured Julie, his wife of 58 years, his children, grandchildren and family and friends. He enjoyed spending time traveling, cooking and all things culinary, discussing religion, and debating politics and policy. He had a lifelong love of the water, and adored swimming, fishing, boating, and living on Lake Murray. Like his father before him, he was fascinated by trains, and anything related to the railroad. He was an award-winning amateur photographer, and he wrote poetry. He enjoyed music especially classical, and, while serving in the Army in Germany, developed a fondness and appreciation for polka music. He was a natural athlete and played tennis and golf throughout his life. He was an avid fan of Lady Gamecocks Basketball. Survivors include his wife, Julie Guziel Donatelli; children, Christina Donatelli Stodder (Seth), Amy Anne Donatelli Lassig, M.D. (Jeff), and Paul E. Donatelli, M.D. (Frances); grandchildren, Nadia, Thomas and Harry Stodder; Augie, Genevieve, and Penelope Lassig; and George and James Donatelli; and as well as a sister, Sheila Donatelli Bradford (Bill). The service for Mr. Donatelli will be held at 2pm, Saturday, April 27, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David H. Lauten and Russ Harless officiating. The service will be livestreamed at: https://firstprescolumbia.org. Burial will be held in the churchyard. The family will receive friends following the service in Jackson Hall of the church. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion St, Columbia, SC 29201.

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Mr. Bruce E. Donatelli

May 26, 1942 - February 28, 2024