Jay DonnellyMelbourne Beach"Coach" Jay Donnelly, 73, of Melbourne Beach, Florida passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016 from heart complications while at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.   Jay was born on October, 12, 1943 in Stamford, Connecticut to Joe & Audrey Donnelly.  Jay is survived by his brother Peter and his sister Carol.Jay will be greatly missed by many who knew him as a coach, a co-worker, a fraternity brother, a sports fan and a friend, but no one could miss him more than his loving family - his wife, Judy, his " Dream Girl", of 39 years and his children Kelly and Jason, his "favorite" son-in law Mark Tveter, granddaughter Kendall, his brother and sister.There will be a celebration of life at Lacita Country Club in Titusville, Florida on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5-8pm to recognize the many accomplishments of Jay's life and the truly remarkable impact he had on all the lives he touched.Jay Donnelly was raised in West Palm Beach, FL where he lettered in football and baseball at Palm Beach H.S., graduating in 1961.  He continued his education at the University of Florida where he received his Bachelor and Masters Degree.   While at Florida, he played baseball under Coach Dave Fuller for 3 years.After graduation, he served two years as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer with a tour of duty in Korea.  He started his coaching career in 1969 at Miami Columbus H.S. as a linebacker coach and head baseball coach.  In 1971, he was named "Dade County Coach of the Year" in baseball.  In the fall of 1971, he worked as a graduate assistant in football at Eastern Kentucky Univ. coaching quarterbacks and receivers.In the fall of 1972, Jay was hired by Abe Collinsworth to be Astronaut H.S.'s first head football and baseball coach.  In 1974, he stepped down as baseball coach to assume the role of Athletic Director in addition to football.  His overall record in football was 122-36-2, the best winning percentage of any football program in florida, in any classification.  Astronaut H.S. also had the distinction of the most players in the NFL from one high school: Cris Collinsworth, Wilber Marshall and John Bostic.  Jay retired from football in 1987 but continued as athletic director until his retirement in 1999.During this 15 year period The War Eagles won 9 conference titles, won or shared 8 district titles and had 6 appearrances in the State Playoffs.  The 1976 and 1979 teams reached the State Semifinals during this run.Individually, 73 War Eagle Players were named to an All-State Team. Two players, Cris Collinsworth and Wilber Marshall, were named 1st team parade all-americans.  Even more importantly, 70 players received football scholarships to continue their education.    Coach Donnelly is recognized equally for the total athletic program established at Astronaut.  His base philosophy as an athletic director was that coaches share their athletes and the program flourished.  During his 23 years as athletic director, the War Eagles won 2 State Championships as the Florida Athletic Coaches Association "3a program of the year" as well as a runner-up finish in 1989.  In Brevard County, Astronaut capturered eight "Barbara Caywood" All-Sports titles along with 8 runner-up finishes. Other milestones in Coach Donnelly's varied career include the following:- Served as an Assistant Coach in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game - 1986- Served as the State Coaches Association President - 1992                                                                                                                                                                       -Served on the fhsaa board of directors  - 1993-Inducted into the florida athletic coaches hall of fame - 1994-Inducted into the astronaut high school sports hall of fame - 2001- New football field at Astronaut High School was named "Jay Donnelly Field"- 2007- Space Coast Hall of Fame Award, accepted on behalf of the great coaches and players who made Astronaut an elite sports program - 2015Even though football was Jay's most favorite sport, he also loved tennis, golf, biking and lobstering and spent the majority of his retirement days engaged in these sports.   In a final nod to his overall talent and athleticism, Jay's very last round of golf ended in a hole-in-one! We'll miss you "My Jay", "Jay-bo", Dad, Coach and Grandpa