Quincy – James J. Donohue, 74, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2021, at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth from complications of the COVID-19 virus. Born on October 31, 1946 in Lowell, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late James and Mary (St. Onge) Donohue. Jim graduated from Keith Academy in Lowell before attending Boston College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1967 and Master’s degree in 1968. Upon graduating from BC, Jim was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserves, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. A lifelong teacher and educator, Jim spent the majority of his working career as an employee of the Milton, Massachusetts Public Schools, first as a guidance counselor at Milton High School and then as Director of Special Education at Tucker School. Upon his retirement from Milton, Jim pursued further graduate study in the field of clinical psychology at Northeastern University before commencing his second career as a psychotherapist in Boston. His interests included reading, Democratic politics, United States history and frequent get-togethers with fellow BC alums. Jim also devoted much of his time and energy as a caregiver to family members, especially his parents.
Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, Thomas Donohue and Mary Jackson, uncle Thomas Donohue, aunts Helen and Mildred Donohue, all of Lowell, and Elizabeth O’Connor of Andover. Jim was a loving son to his parents, a dedicated sibling and a devoted uncle to his nieces and nephews. He is survived by his brother, Atty. Joseph R. Donohue and his sister-in-law, Atty. Deirdre D. Donohue, of Andover, and his nieces and nephews, Atty. Katherine Donohue of New York City, Elizabeth Donohue of Washington, DC, James Donohue of Boston, Marianne Jackson-Wakim of Hampton, NH, and Thomas Jackson of Dracut, MA. He is also survived by his cousins, Katherine LeMay of Hampton, NH, Ellen Maglaras of Lowell, MA, Paul Richards of Virginia, Michael Richards of Reading, MA, Ann Richards of Old Saybrook, CT and Raymond Richards of Florida, and many good friends, including James Bagnell of New Bedford, MA.
Jim’s family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff of South Shore Hospital for the care and compassion which they exhibited during Jim’s final days. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jim’s funeral mass at St. Margaret Church in Lowell, and burial at St. Mary Cemetery will be private. Arrangements will be by the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 978-458-6816.