Frank Donnelly remembered as educator, coach, and community builder

Frank Donnelly spent his life building up Sault Ste. Marie — one student, one athlete, one neighbour at a time.

Donnelly, who died Sept. 3 at Sault Area Hospital at the age of 93, was a teacher, coach, principal, referee, broadcaster, volunteer, and fixture of the city’s sports scene for decades.

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A proud graduate of Sault Collegiate Institute, Donnelly returned to his alma mater to teach and coach before becoming principal in 1972. He led the school until 1979, during the final years of its nearly century-long history before its closure in 1981. He later served as principal of Sir James Dunn Collegiate, retiring in 1987.

On the field and court, Donnelly was equally influential — coaching basketball and football, refereeing, and serving as colour commentator for CJIC’