Photo courtesy of McNally & Watson Funeral & Cremation Service - Clinton
Clinton, Massachusetts
Oct 20, 1933 – Nov 5, 2014 (Age 81)
CLINTON
The Honorable James P. Donohue, 81, passed peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 5, 2014.
He leaves his loving wife of 55 years, Elizabeth A. (Gibbons) Donohue; two sons: James P. Donohue, Jr. and his wife, Kyle, of Duxbury and John P. Donohue and his wife, Paula, of Clinton; two daughters: Jane A. Sullivan and her husband, Mark, and Dr. Susan E. Donohue and her husband, Michael Ferguson, all of Shrewsbury; a brother, Dr. Robert J. Donohue and his wife, Ellen, of Holyoke; four sisters: Mary Shaughnessy of Williamsville, NY, Helen Poff of Clinton, Patricia Hamilton and her husband, Thomas, of Millbury, and Ann Donohue, of Clinton and Farmington, CT; seven grandchildren: Robert J. Donohue, Brigit M. Donohue, Mark D. Sullivan, Jr., James P. Donohue, III, William P. Donohue, Emily E. Ferguson, and Owen P. Ferguson.
Born at the family home in Clinton, the son of Robert J. and Mary A. (Burke) Donohue, he was a life-long resident. After graduating from Clinton High School in 1951, he matriculated to Dartmouth College, where be played Varsity Football, earning his Bachelor's Degree in 1955. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law, in 1959.
Following many years of service to his hometown as a member of the School Committee and Town Counsel, he maintained a private law practice in Clinton and served as Assistant District Attorney for Worcester County. In 1979, he was nominated by Gov. Ed King to the Massachusetts Superior Court, as an Associate Justice, where he served for 24 years until his retirement. Following his retirement, his greatest joy in life was watching his grandchildren grow, and spending time in the company of family and friends.
Judge Donohue was a member of St. John the Guardian of Our Lady Parish, a life-member of the former Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, and a long-time member of the Massachusetts, Worcester County, and Clinton Bar Associations. He was also a proud honorary member of the Order of AHEPA.
His funeral will be held on Monday, November 10, 2014 from the McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Lancaster. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at the funeral home on Sunday, November 9, 2014, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, and in his memory, please take care of what is close to you, and share a meal with those you love.
My Dear Betty and family, you are in my thoughts this morning and I am there in spirit. I can see Jimmy with that impish smile and kooking down at us all. He will be happy in his Heavenly Home. He did his work on earth well and may he rest in peace. Love to all.
Mary (Mahan) Duckett Lagrange, Illinois
November 09, 2014
My condolences to the Donahue clan.
Barbara Brousseau O'Donnell
Ann Arbor,Mi.
November 08, 2014
My sincere sympathy to all of Jim's family.
Barry Matthew, Class of '51
Barry Matthew
November 07, 2014 | Berlin, MA
To The Donohue Family - The Judge was a man of honor that cared about the justice system and our community. I appeared before him as a Police Officer with a few cases. God Bless him and be with your family during this very difficult time. Sorry that I will not be able to attend the funeral since I am here in Louisiana on assignment.
David Bartlett
November 07, 2014 | Lancaster
Jim, Kyle, James, William and family,
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Love,
The Walshes
Maura Walsh
November 07, 2014 | Westford, MA
God Bless and God Rest the Judge. He was one of the giants of a great family and inspired all who knew of him and knew of his life story. Against all odds he excelled on the gridiron and applied his drive and discipline to the study of law. He served his community for decades and made those in his immediate and extended family so very proud. Indeed,his family endures as his most precious and lasting legacy. Three Cheers for a life well lived. Sincerest condolences on his passing.
Richard Johnson
November 07, 2014 | Braintree, MA
Betty and family so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. My deepest sympathy to you all. Many fond memories.
Marion Kilcoyne
November 07, 2014 | Boylston, MA
Dear Betty and Family,
My Deepest Sympathy to you all on your loss of a super great guy..
Remember him fondly from the Holy Rosary.
Prayers and thoughts are with you all at this most difficult time...
Louise Rotti
November 07, 2014 | Clinton, MA
Jane & Mark: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. May your dad rest in peace. Ellen Maniscalco
November 07, 2014
