Obituary of J. Joseph Donahue

J. Joseph Donahue of Saint John, husband of M. Carmel (O’Neill) Donahue, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2010 at the Ridgewood Veteran’s Centre. Born at Saint John on November 10, 1921, he was a son of the late John Joseph and Agnes (Caine) Donahue. Joseph was the General Manager of the Power Commission of the City of Saint John, retiring in 1984. A graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Joseph was a past president of the Association of Professional Engineers of New Brunswick, and sat on the Board of both the Saint John Regional Hospital and the former DVA Hospital in Lancaster. A Veteran of World War II, Joseph served in the Royal Canadian Navy, and was a member of the Byng Boys Club, as well as being a past president of the Westfield Golf and Country Club. Always an active member of his community, Joseph served on many boards and organizations throughout his lifetime. A member of St. Peter’s Parish, Joseph actively participated in his church as a lay minister, and was a former president of St. Peter’s Non Profit Housing Corporation, as well as being a 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. In addition to his wife of 63 years, Joseph is survived by two sons, Michael Donahue (Janet) and Jim Donahue (Angela) of Saint John; two daughters, Mary Pinet (Robert) of Bellingham, Massachusetts, and Maureen Creamer (Jim) of Saint John; grandchildren Rob Pinet (Tracie), Martha Henry (Chris), Jeremy Vandenberghe, Daniel Vandenberghe (Jaime), Timothy Vandenberghe (Linnea), Elizabeth Ellefsen (Jason), Joe Donahue (Marla), Erin Donahue, Jane Logan (Josh), and Tom Donahue, Kate, Gregory, and Eileen Creamer, Jamie, Laura (Matthew Rahn), and Sadie Anne Donahue; 16 great grandchildren; a sister, Kathleen Donahue of Saint John; and a nephew, John O’Neill (Mary). In addition to his parents, Joseph was predeceased by a daughter, Anne Vandenberghe. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday from 7-9 PM and Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 5, 2010, at 11:00 AM from St. Peter’s Church, 50 Clarendon Street. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Saint John Learning Exchange, the Alzheimer Society, or any charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.