Vincent Daniel Donahue Jr.

Dan Donahue,71, proud of his Irish heritage, a generous family man, devoted husband, and loyal friend, died on January 12 of respiratory failure at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville while visiting family there. 

Dan was born January 17, 1951 in Philadelphia, the youngest child of Margaret Mary (Hearty) Donahue and Vincent Daniel Donahue. He grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey and Irvington, New York before moving to Baltimore in 1966. Dan graduated from Calvert Hall College high school in 1969 and attended the University of Maryland. He lived with Pat, his beloved wife of 30 years,  in Columbia, Maryland.

Dan learned to drive a Jeep at 9. That helped ignite a lifelong passion for cars.  Dan followed his love of the automotive world into sales, working for over 30 years at Otho Williams Buick, Economy RV and Chisaco RV. He worked earlier in his life at STX and in hospitality, managing the Sir Walter Raleigh Inn and Victoria Station. 

 

Family gatherings were important to Dan. Summer for him meant road trips with his dogs to visit his sister, Patricia, at her home in Maine with stops along the way to connect with other family members. 

While Dan was an avid reader, books were rarely discussed during "The Book Club" meetings he attended with friends. Dan was a reliable participant in this monthly gathering of men who grew up together in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore. A member of "The Book Club," Toby Finney, wrote, "I could always feel self-assured when in the company of Big Dan. Warm and engaging, he always made for quality time in his presence." The group has met for nearly thirty years at Dr. Ned (Rock) Rogers' home, where life and laughter were more a focus than literature.

A lifelong Yankees fan, Dan had an amazing mind for baseball statistics and a love of Mickey Mantle. He featured a signed photo of Mickey prominently in his home. After many years living in the Baltimore area, Dan became an Orioles fan as well. 

Dan is survived by his wife, Patricia Ellen Donahue, and her three children, Kathryn Victoria Rossi (husband Frank Rossi), Daniel Edward Orejuela (wife Rosaura Orejuela), and Henry Allen Orejuela (wife Suzanne Orejuela). He was loved by 5 grandchildren: Nicolas, Julia, Caroline, Matthew and Valentina Orejuela. Dan is also survived by two sisters, Patricia Donahue and Margaret Schapiro (husband Benjamin Schapiro). He was loved and is missed by his large extended family.

A celebration of  life will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 12:00 p.m. in Columbia, Maryland. For details, email celebratedandonahue@gmail.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center.