Page 32 - RE-NJ

30 JANUARY 2026
IN MEMORIAM
C&W’S DONNELLY, PIONEERING NEW
JERSEY OFFICE BROKER, DIES AT 79
Robert Donnelly Sr., one of New
Jersey’s iconic commercial real
estate brokers and a central figure
in decades of high-profile corporate
office deals, has died. He was 79.
Donnelly, an executive vice
chairman with Cushman &
Wakefield, spent nearly five decades
representing blue-chip companies
ranging from AT&T and General
Electric to BASF and a host of other
household names. That includes
his 46 years with the real estate
services firm, where he was a
pioneer in corporate services while
maintaining its longest-standing
leasing agency, representing
the owners of Morristown’s
Headquarters Plaza since it was
built in 1980.
For AT&T, for which he served as
account executive since 1993, he
oversaw all of C&W’s activities on
the client’s behalf and interfaced
with senior management on
an ongoing basis. He also led a
brokerage team that includes his
son, Robert Donnelly Jr., and many
other prominent office specialists in
the region.
“Over the course of his remarkable
career, Bob built a legacy defined
by excellence, integrity and
leadership,” Cushman wrote in a
tribute after his passing on Dec. 16.
“A pioneering force in the industry,
he was known as a mentor to many
JOE MORRIS, BIG-BOX DEVELOPER
AND INDUSTRY GIANT, DIES AT AGE 81
Joe Morris, the co-founder of
the Morris Cos. who was known
for his commanding presence
and leadership in New Jersey’s
commercial real estate sector, has
died. He was 81.
Industry leaders, including NAIOP
New Jersey, paid tribute to the
longtime developer while sharing
an obituary for the Bedminster
resident. The notice said Morris, the
chairman of the Rutherford-based
fi rm, was surrounded by his family
when he died Dec. 3, following a
career that spanned more than fi ve
decades and was marked by the
development of large, well-located
warehouses and
deep relationships
with corporate
tenants.
NAIOP New
Jersey inducted
Morris into its hall
of fame in 2013.
“Joe held various
leadership roles
with our chapter
is remembered
fondly for his
dedication
to industry
priorities,” the
association
wrote in Dec.
5 a LinkedIn
post. “We extend
our heartfelt
condolences
to Joe’s family,
friends and
colleagues during
this diffi cult time.
Joe Morris
and widely
respected for
his influence on
the markets he
served.”
Fittingly, the
legendary broker
recognized
his family and
colleagues at
Cushman in 2023
as he received
NAIOP New
Jersey’s Lifetime
Achievement
Award and
reflected on his
long run with the
real estate services firm.
“If it hasn’t come through in my
comments, I just have to say, I love
this business,” Donnelly said at the
chapter’s annual spring gala. “It’s
He will be greatly missed by all who
had the privilege to know and work
with him.”
The second of four children, the
Brooklyn native and polio survivor
grew up in Great Neck, New York.
He co-founded the Morris Cos. with
his brother Robbie in 1971 and
would build some 30 million square
feet over fi ve decades, according to
the fi rm’s website, noting that they
remained lifelong business partners
at the helm of a company grounded
in family loyalty and perseverance.
The fi rm’s recent projects include
an 873,744-square-foot warehouse
and distribution center on Doremus
Avenue in Newark and a more
than 1.2 million-square-foot facility
on Rahway Avenue in the Avenel
section of Woodbridge.
“Known for his sharp wit and strong
will, Joe also had a soft heart,
especially for his family and his
animals, including his cat Pumpkin
and his dog Philo,” Morris’ family
wrote in his obituary. “He lived
with great energy, captaining boats,
spear-fi shing, scuba-diving and
moving quickly in all things.”
Morris is survived by Jennifer
Morris, his wife of 35 years, as well
as his daughter, Sarah, and son-
in-law, Noah; his grandson, Meir;
his sister, Nancie; and his brother,
Robbie. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Frances and Max,
and his brother, Peter.
Robert Donnelly Sr.
fun, it’s exciting, it’s competitive.
You have the thrill of the hunt, then
you make the deal and life goes on.
But the best part of it all are the
people.
“And those people — the brokers,
the developers, the lawyers,
the architects, all of you in this
audience — we literally create what
I think is the most exciting industry,
certainly in the state, maybe in the
world. It dwarfs the stock market —
it makes the stock market look like
a candy store. So thank you for this
honor and thank you for making this
so much fun.”
Cushman promoted Donnelly
to executive vice president and
elected him to its board of directors
in 2000. In 2014, he was promoted
to the position of executive vice
chairman.
The firm highlighted Donnelly’s
niche in corporate services
account work over the course
of his distinguished career. He
represented many Fortune 500
companies, negotiating millions of
square feet worth of office leases
across the U.S. and internationally
for clients that also included Lucent
Technologies, New York Life
Insurance, Reed Elsevier and Fiserv.
“Beyond his professional
accomplishments, Bob was known
for his generosity of spirit, trusted
counsel and the meaningful
relationships he built throughout
his career,” the firm wrote in its
tribute. “His legacy continues
through the many colleagues he
inspired, including his son, Robert
Donnelly Jr., who carries forward
that tradition of excellence as a
valued member of the Cushman &
Wakefield organization.”