Michael Francis Donohue, 64, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving siblings after a long illness. He was welcomed into heaven by his parents and brother. Born in Worcester he was the oldest of eight children born to the late Patrick and Catherine (O’Rourke ) Donohue. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1970 and attended College of the Holy Cross before answering the call of duty for the United States Army in 1972. He proudly served our country for 22 years before retiring in 1994 with the rank of Master Sergeant. Mike was a Vietnam era and Desert Storm Veteran. He then worked for the United States Department of Defense in Heidelberg, Germany as a finance officer. While in Germany, he developed the Olympic Development Soccer Program which allowed the sons and daughters of the troops to participate in the sport while overseas. He returned home to Massachusetts in 2010.
Mourning his loss are his three brothers, Patrick and his wife, Michelle of Paxton, John and his wife, Moira of Clinton, and Timothy and Marialaina Lannin of Medway; his three sisters, Katie Gilrein and her husband, Timothy of Douglas, Carol Kelley and her husband Scott of North Grafton and Maryellen Nugent and her husband, Richard of Holden with whom he lived before becoming ill. He was predeceased by his brother, Sylvester Joseph who died in 1958. He will also be missed by his surviving aunts and uncles, Kathleen and Jim Shugrue, Joan O’Rourke, Connie Donohue, James Postale and many cousins and friends. He also leaves six nieces, Erin Gilrein, Meghan Bartlett and her husband, Brendan and their sons, Jack and Henry, Courtney and Kerry Nugent, Hannah and Catherine Kelley and four nephews Neil, Kevin and Thomas Donohue and Nevan Kelley whom he loved to spend time with going to sporting events. We will all miss his early morning texts to let us know the latest news and weather report before heading out to work and the latest scores on the Boston Sports teams or his beloved St. John’s Pioneers.
Mike also leaves his wife Sandra and sons, Michael, and his wife, Julie and their daughters, Kacie and Sarah, Brian and his wife, Jacqueline and their two daughters, Cora and Josephine, and Christopher.
In his retirement he enjoyed attending Mass, playing Bingo, shopping with his sisters , attending sporting events with his brothers and his daily visits from his sister Maryellen. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his brother Tim, going to events at St. John’s High School. Each of his siblings and their families played an important role in Mike’s life and he in theirs. They will forever keep him in their hearts.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks for all of the caring people who helped care for Mike during his illness . Especially Drs. Meyer and Greenberg whose kindness and empathy helped Mike’s journey into heaven a peaceful one.
Friends and family will gather to honor and remember Mike’s life on Monday, January 23rd from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. A funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street at 10:00 a.m. on January 24th. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Veteran's, Inc., 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 or St. John's High School Scholarship Fund, 378 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.