Jeffrey William Donahue

Jeffrey William Donahue, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away December 14 after a short illness, at home surrounded by his family.

Jeff was the youngest child born to Jeffrey William and Rose Morgan Donahue in Danbury, Conn. on May 14, 1923.

He is predeceased by his parents, his brother John and his wife Doris, his brother Rev. Joseph Patrick Donahue, and his sister, Rosella Purcell and her husband James.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, six children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He attended St. Peter’s Catholic grammar school and was a graduate of Danbury High School and the University of Connecticut.

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, at age 19, he enlisted in the Navy and began his training as a pilot. He flew F4Fs in the Pacific while serving aboard the USS Salamaua, which was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the surrender terms ending World War II. He had the honor of representing the Navy at many commemorative ceremonies at the World War II Memorial, including the ceremony in September to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.

After the war he continued his education at the University of Connecticut on the G.I. bill and began a long and successful career in the insurance industry.

On Dec. 26, 1950, he married Barbara Brennan, also of Danbury. His brother, Father Joe Donahue, officiated at the nuptial mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Jeff died 12 days short of their 75th wedding anniversary.

As an active reservist, Jeff was recalled during the Korean War and trained pilots in Pensacola, Florida. For a couple of Connecticut kids, the balmy Florida weather seemed both exotic and enjoyable. By then, their oldest son, Jeffrey William (Marianne) was two and their daughter; Mary Beth (Gary Cramer) arrived while they were in Florida.

The family moved back to Hartford, CT and then on to Allentown, PA., Pittsburgh, PA. Mendham, N.J. and finally, Vienna, VA. as Jeff advanced in his career while adding four more children to the family: Joseph Patrick (Patty), Richard James, Katherine Rose (William Webb) and Paul Michael (Valerie) were born.

He retired as regional vice president for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company at age 62 and then worked another eight years for the National Flood Insurance Program.

Throughout his long life, Jeff was steadfast in his faith and unwavering in his

commitment to his beloved wife and family. He was true partner to Barb, working together to raise their children, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other unconditionally.

To his grandchildren, he was “old, but lively, “ as one grandson put it, skiing, golfing, ice skating, swimming, hiking and pulling remote control planes out of trees as needed. He enjoyed family vacations by the ocean in Misquamicut, R.I. and in the mountains at Wintergreen Resort.

He loved to work with his children and grandchildren on home projects from carpentry to painting and wall papering and, despite the usual starts and stops, which he termed the Donahue law, instead of Murphy’s law, they were always completed with much laughter and satisfaction.

He was a gentle, patient man, who felt rich in blessings. He will be greatly missed.

A funeral mass will be held Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA 22181 , where he was a loyal parishioner for 55 years, serving on various committees and volunteering at the parish school into his 90s. The family will greet guests one hour before the mass with burial immediately following at the St. Mark Memorial Garden and a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mark Church. https://stmark.org/

Eternal rest grant unto Jeff, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.