Felix DONNELLY Obituary

I remember father Felix Donnelly from going to st. Patricks church in akl Nz. on a sunday night. and also hearing him on radio. i didnt realize he only died a few years back. I believe he did good work with the young People. .... RIP father. Im 82 now so going back many years, i still remember your face.............. Bishop Liston i remember him from a big Mass at the catholic girls college in remuera. I went to St Michaels remuera.

To a wonderful man, friend and mentor, I will miss you alot. I have just found put about your passing from this world, It was always a highlight of my visits back home to meet up with you, dinners and eventually sitting and talking in Grace Joel. You are truly one of the wonderful and compassionate spirits that the world needs. Rest in peace Felix, knowing that your best was awesome. Lots and lots of love and hugs to you and all your family. Gary

To Felix's Family im sorry for your loss. I was a resident at The Glade in 1994 - 1996/97. Im sad to hear of his passing. He did alot of good. He was a fair, kind, reasonable and supportive man. I have never forgotten the chances he gave me to get back on the right track. He made a difference for the better to me. I will be forever grateful.

I remember Felix with affection and gratitude. He was a compassionate and authentic person.

Thank you Felix for your contribution to Community Health at the University of Auckland Medical School in the 1970s and for your support, confidence and belief in me ( when others doubted). This allowed me to strive to finish medical school and pursue a meaningful career in Psychiatry in NZ and Australia. Sadly now not a chance to acknowledge this face to face.

Rest in peace, Felix. You taught me Catechetics at Loretto Hall many years ago. Thank you.

It was a daily pleasure to work with Felix for 2 years back in the late 1970's at Almorah Rd House. He was a man who did everything he could to help people and gave to all more than he ever expected to get back. I think of him with great admiration and affection.

You challenged. You loved. You changed.
Love - Peter O'Connor

Rest in Peace Felix Thank you so much for all you did for my friends and I when we were teenagers You provided us with a safe place and very wise counselAlways be remembered with love

After nearly 50 years of friendship, it is very sad saying farewell to Felix. When I first met him he suggested a GLB topic for my MA and then I found him one of the examiners! Over the years he's amazed me with his energies as a Priest, broadcaster, social activist, builder of homes for youth and, midst many other activities, founding Youthline, and providing rational and compassionate support for GLB people at a time that was a very unpopular view. Your combined activities, Felix, have gained you a status in NZ society that few can equal. Well done, good and faithful servant. There is a candle lit for you in Minneapolis.

A lovely man who did so much for the people he worked with. Remembered for his time in Youthline when I worked with him Rest in Peace

Paula Dilworth

Rip Felix

God bless you Felix.
My wife Rosaleen (RiP) and I married in Wellington in 1958 and Waihi was our first parish - Waihi was on a downer. It hadn't got over the 1912 strike. The P.P. was a very difficult man but Felix pulled the parish up by its boot strings, and got it firing on all cylinders. All the time while studying University subjects extramurally - three a year for our three years there I think. Not to forget about the parish visiting he did.
He got a 'Youth Group' going and it blossomed, and he said, "Soon the Mass will be in English" so in Waihi it was - with the help of the
then 'Holy Name Society'.
But much to the displeasure of the P.P.
Felix, may you rest in the peace you have earned and deserve.

Felix, a man of great spirituality and concern for his fellow man, has gone and we are all the poorer for his passing. Rest, my friend, after a worthwhile life devoted to others.

Advocate, A voice for so many vulnerable Young people

Youthline was significant in my life in many ways and I made some lifelong friends. Thank you Felix.

A compassionate priest, a younger persons and GLB rights campaigner, a counsellor.
Felix you pioneered talking more openly about sexuality in the NZ of the 1970's when it was little or poorly discussed.You made a significant contribution to challenging the NZ conservative psyche of the time. It was a changing time and you helped a generation with Youthline etc. Thank you, you listened and saved lives. Go well as Felix you mentored many well with determination and mindfully. RIP.

So sad to hear of Felix's passing. He was a kind gentle man with a big heart and was dedicated to the fight for those in need. Travel well my friend.

He really did make a difference to many.

A friend for almost fifty years - For me it started with a year of so part-time with Youthline and Gay Switchboard before I went to Europe, then visits and trips with friends in London, Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada, Madrid and Paris. Of all my friends, Felix was the person who most put into practice the teachings of Christ.

DONNELLY, Reverend Father Felix Cornelius ONZM. Priest of the Catholic Diocese of Auckland, mentor to generations of young people, champion for those in difficulty, remembered with love and affection by all whom he helped and inspired. May he rest in peace. Catholic Diocese of Auckland.