Michael J. Donnelly, 82, of Monroe died at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday at Harborside Health Care, Sylvania, Ohio. Arrangements by Rupp Funeral Home, Monroe, MI.

Mike Donnelly

I don't know if you knew Mike Donnelly very well but he was a man's man on all counts. He used to play in most all of our national three-cushion tournaments that we began in our first Chicago store front branch during the mid 1970s. Then, Mike owned and operated a small family orientated pool room in Monroe, MI. As I recall (I was only there once), his room was on the shores of a river, and to boost income Mike began the unique concept of renting small boats right from his pool room that was located within a building elevated some ten feet above the river bank. Later, he opened a second room within a neighboring community where he set up shop within a much larger building and in addition to operating his pool and billiard tables Donnelly uniquely installed an indoor miniature golf course. I remember as if it were yesterday how he described in detail his drilling into the concrete floor and coring out holes for his enterprising indoor course.  I also remember Mike mentioning that at that time he had recently suffered major health issues, but, was quick to say that he was a good healer, and not long after began enjoying good health ... a fact he went on to soundly prove for more than the following 30 years!  Whether dealing with business issues or as a contender at the billiard table he was a competitor to the word, and most always finished in the top ten percent of his peers. When Billiards in America looses a man like Mike Donnelley is in this man's opinion like baseball, golf, basketball or any other of our nations great sports loosing one of their heroes. Men, who on or off their fields of endeavor, and who throughout their entire lives continually proved the importance of one little word ... integrity. From all of us who were so very fortunate in ever meeting you ... "Rest in Peace Mike,"

Jim Parker, President The Illinois Billiard Club