Stephen Donahue

WATERTOWN
STEPHEN DONAHUE
"Loving husband, father and grandfather"
Stephen Donahue age 66 of Watertown passed away peacefully February 3, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Debra (DeBonis) Donahue.
Steve was born April 5, 1957, in Waterbury, the eldest son of Simeon and Patricia (Dyson) Donahue. A graduate of Cheshire High School, Steve earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Southern Connecticut State University, which he parlayed into a job as a sports writer and editor at the Republican American. At the Rep-Am, Stephen covered UConn basketball, the New York Giants, Major League Baseball, the PGA Tour and US Open tennis, allowing him to meet many of the greatest sports stars of the day, including many of his own personal idols from childhood. In 1991, Steve left the newspaper for his dream job at Golf Digest Publications, becoming a managing editor for Golf Shop Operations, and later a managing travel editor for Senior Golfer Magazine in New York City. His career afforded him the chance to add "world traveler" to his life's resumé, allowing him to play at least one round of golf in every state as well as nearly 1,000 courses, including some of the best courses in the world, across nine different countries. Later in his career, he became a Golf Digest Course Rater, allowing him to indulge his love of golf course architecture. Although he made his living in the golf business, Steve was a lifelong baseball fanatic, and visited every Major League ballpark in the United States. He was the recipient of the Jesse H. Neal Editorial Achievement award 3 years in a row and received the American Society of Business Press Editors award for editorial excellence, as well as the International Network of Golf, Equipment Reporter of the Year. He was a member of the United States Golf Association and of the Golf Writers of America Association.
Besides his beloved wife of 43 years, he leaves his son Patrick Michael Donahue of Watertown, his daughter Allison Proulx and her husband Joseph of Watertown, his sister Nancy March and her husband Chuck of Southington, his brothers Daniel Donahue and his partner Arnold Olson of Wallingford, Michael Donahue and his wife Lesley of Southington, his great aunt Nancy Gervais, and the lights of his life, his two granddaughters, Brynn and Abby Proulx.
Arrangements: A celebration of Stephen's life will be held on Wednesday February 7 from 3 to 5 PM at Chase Parkway Memorial/Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who knew him treat themselves, in his honor, to whatever manner of good time seems best to them. Eat, drink, and raise a glass to the memory of a man whose love of life and sense of humor touched everyone who knew him.