Obituary of Emerson Bradford Donnell

Mr. Emerson Bradford Donnell, Jr., 74, died Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Born in Milwaukee, WI, raised in Racine. He resided in Neshanic before moving to Basking Ridge in 1989. Brad spent many wonderful years at his second home in Cape May Point, NJ. A mechanical engineer for 52 years, he began his career working for Union Carbide and Egan Machinery both in Bound Brook. In 1972, he co-founded Polycel Corp., in Branchburg, most recently owning his own consulting firm, EB Engineering, Inc. in Basking Ridge. Brad is a pioneer in the plastics industry. His accomplishments included many patents; improvements in highway crash barriers, plastic bags, computer housings and appliance parts. Most recently he partnered with Polymer Solutions International, in developing bottled water shipping racks and improvements in pallet molding design technology, used worldwide. Brad was admired and loved by his co-workers. Brad served honorably in the US Army and Army Reserves after attaining his Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He enjoyed playing piano, golfing and travel as well as tinkering in the shop. In addition, he was an avid recreational pilot, having achieved his Phase VI Pilot Proficiency Wings from the US Department of Transportation in 1988. His parents, Emerson Bradford, Sr. and Lois Nichols Donnell predeceased him as did his sister, Jane Byng. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Kathleen Farrell Donnell, children; Emerson (Jen), Califon, Jennifer Rannells, (Bob), Somerville, Kevin Ashworth (Daniela), Totowa Boro, and step-son William Ashworth (Tara) Arlington, VA., five grandchildren, brother-in-law and four nephews of Wisconsin. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 9:30 am from the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung followed by a 10:30 am Mass of Resurrection at Our Lady of the Mount Chapel in Warren and interment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1317 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 or the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, 200 Mt. Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 would be appreciated.