Tribute to Robert Donnelly, 1950 - 2026

Dear Robbie, it was an honor and a true joy for us to know you. Life also introduced us to your love for Bulgaria. We are grateful for every minute with you. You showed us what it is to have the responsibility to take care of family, friends and Kato and Kino. Your heart was full of love for people and they will remember this forever. I am sorry that the distance stole more moments and memories from us. But we are grateful and happy for those you left us. Thank you for everything over the years. Be calm, you will live with us and give lots of love to Janni, because we know that you are together now! We love you!

Dear Robbie , When we first met in 2005 in Plovdiv Bulgaria to celebrate Bobbys birth with you , Jani and Stephi , Ani and Lubo we became first friends but today we are FAMILY. You and Jani looked after all of us , drove or flew miles to be together even for couple of hours. You loved Bulgaria and Bulgarian people long before Bulgaria became known destination. Bulgaria was your happy place. And we your Bulgarian family want to say you was part of that family and will always be . We will always remember great times together, laughter and your endless love for Jani , Stephi and Kato and Kino.

Dad thank you for being my constant these last 8 years, you made a promise and you kept that promise for as long as you could. Dad you truly were one in a million and I thank you for everything you both did for me. I am and always will be the strong person you both made me to be. Thank you for the gift of my boys, they have taken over looking after me and are by my side as I write this wondering why I have tears running down my face. We love you to the moon and back and then some, we will carry you with us everyday.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Robert 'Rusty'. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.