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- From the book "Who's Who of Alberta" 1969
Francis Edward Donnelly, Supervisor of Teacher Recruitment of the Edmonton Separate School Board was born in Rimby, Alta January 5, 1909, the son of Patrick and Adeline (Denesia). His father was born in Ontario and his mother in the U.S. They came to Alberta in 1901. On December 29, 1931 he married Leonie Cecile DePourcq of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They have two children, Ron Edward a dentist and Lawrence Joseph and Chartered Accountant and 7 grandchildren.
Mr. Donnelly received his elementary education in Rimbey and secondary in Wetaskewin and Lacombe, Alberta. He attended Camrose Normal School in 1926-27 and obtained a first class Teaching certificate. In 1927-28, he began his teaching career at Rimbey, Alberta and 1928-29 attended university. From 1929-30 he taught at the Boyle Alberta School District and 1930-63 teacher and vice principal at Edmonton Separate Schools. In 1963, Mr. Donnelly became Supervisor of Teacher Recruitment. In 1944, he was asked to take a temporary position as Secretary-Treasurer and Manager of St. Anthony's Parish Savings and Credit Union.
In 1958 he became a member on the advisory board, advising life insurance companies of Alberta on group policies. Mr. Donnelly is a member of the Alberta Teacher's Association, past president, vice president and secretary of the Edmonton Local. He supports all charitable organizations.
Mr. Donnelly was one of eleven people who started the credit union with $28. Assets are now in excess of $350,000 and 800 members. He was an instructor in Cadets Corps of Canada and was an officer in Cadet Services of Canada from 1930-45.
In 1967 he was awarded the Centennial Medal. As hobbies, Mr. Donnelly enjoys working with people and their problems, a sports fan, flying with his son and travel. He has travelled extensively throughout Canada and the US.
His political inclination is Liberal and he is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He is an usher at church. His home address is 10042-88 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta. He office is 9807-106 St., Edmonton, Alberta.
History of Blindman Valley District:
Just after the turn of the century, several families, the Platts, Richards, Lloyds, Donnellys, along with a few other families, headed up by Charles F. Hanson, set about establishing a School District. Land was purchased from W. Richards, and the school building was erected by Mr. J. Dixon and Mr. Meredith Roberts. Mr Roberts, with the help of Mr. George Sparks, went on to build the barn/stable, while Mr. John Sakofsky drilled the water well and Daddy Woods, a tinsmith in Rimbey, supplied the casing for a total of $175.10. Unfortunately the water from the well was not good, so water was carried from the nearby Richards and McCullough farms. The school was in operation from 1907 to 1949 when the students began being bussed into Rimbey. Mr. Ed Donnelly is listed as one of the teachers.
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