Reverend Philip Donohoe

Philip Donohoe Obituary

Reverend Philip M. Donohoe (80) was born on August 25. 1929 in Clenrath Aughnaccliffe, County Longford, Ireland. Father Donohoe attended regional schools in the parish of Saint Colmcille and Saint Mary Apostolic School in the townland of Moyne. In 1947, Father Donohoe entered the seminary of Saint Peter's College in Waxford, Ireland where he studied philosophy and theology for the Diocese of Ferns. On June 7, 1953, Father Donohoe was ordained at Saint Peter's College and soon thereafter came to the USA, assigned to the Diocese of Oklahoma and Tulsa. Father Donohoe's first assignment in Oklahoma was associate pastor of Saint Patrick Church, Oklahoma City. From 1959-1964, he served Immaculate Conception Parish, Poteau, travelling as many as 250 miles on a weekend to celebrate Mass at the six missions of this parish. Other assignments included serving as the pastor of Saint Matthews Church, Elk City (and administrator of Holy Family Church, Canute), Our Lady of Fatima, Nicoma Park, Saint James Church, Oklahoma City and Saint Eugene Church, Oklahoma City. In 1990, Father Donohoe became pastor of Sacred Heart Church, El Reno where he retired in 2005. In addition to serving various parishes, Father Donohoe served on the Appellate Court for the Archdiocesan Tribunal for 30 years and served as Vicar for Region IX for several years. He also served as a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. Father Donohoe is predeceased by his parents, Patrick Donohoe and Bridget Martin Donohoe and brother Thomas, all of Ireland. He is survived by Eilish Donohoe, wife of his brother Thomas, County Longford, Ireland and six nephews and nieces, the children of Eilish and Thomas: Ciarin Donohoe & wife Martina County Longford, Ireland; Ann Marie Donohoe Reynolds and husband Noel, County Longford, Ireland; Patrick Donohoe, Reading, Berkshire, England; Mary Donahoe Farrell & husband Pat, County Roscommon, Ireland; Brida Donohoe Connelly and husband, Brian, County Longford, Ireland, and Elsie Donohoe Curley and husband, Seamus, of County Galway, Ireland. A Vigil for the Deceased will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 208 South Evans Avenue, El Reno at 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 28, 2010. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, El Reno at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 29, 2010. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home, El Reno, 405-262-1202.

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Published by Oklahoman on May 28, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Philip Donohoe

13 Entries

Mary Schwaner

May 22, 2019

Nine years have passed so quickly since you left us,Fr. Phil ! I miss your human presence, your listening abilities, and your hugs . You were there for so many, and I say a special prayer to my Jesus today for your family ... who must miss you intensely.

November 25, 2010

Father Phil,
It has been 6 months since you left Oklahoma for your new home,which I am sure is quite lovely !! Can't let Thanksgiving pass by without a prayer to thank God for your life. What you meant to me and my family will never be forgotten. Love and miss ya', Phil. Mary Schwaner OKC, OK.

Nancy Kelly

June 4, 2010

Fr. Phil married my husband and I in 1958. What a good priest he was! Never judgmental, always with a kind word. "remember God loves you, always". Rest in Peace, good friend.

Lynn Perry Miller

June 1, 2010

Father Phil was so many things to so many people: son, brother, uncle, friend, confidant, confessor, teacher, role model... but in a nutshell, he was a good man, a good and holy priest, none better. If all priests were like Fr. Phil there would be no lapsed Catholics. If all men (kind) were like him there would be world peace... and a lot of laughter. I miss you so, Father Phil, and I thank God for you - as I have done all my life.

May 31, 2010

Jesus Mary and Joseph I give you my heart and my soul...Jesus Mary Joseph assist me in my last agony,Jesus Mary Joseph may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you,Amen. That was Father Phil's favorite prayer. Until we meet again Phil,may Our Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.

Sarah Dennehy

May 29, 2010

Fr. Donohoe was the first priest I met in Oklahoma. We moved here in 1980 and went to St. James. He was very kind to my family and allowed my sisters and I to go to school for free or reduced tuition at St. James due to our financial situation. I will always remember you Fr. Donohoe and wish I could have been at your services.

James McNamara

May 28, 2010

I never heard Fr. Phil tell any of his stories more than once, but time and time again, they all made clear his uncanny ability to home in on a struggling person's real needs. And in the process, with glee, he usually thumbed his nose at some form of pedantry. He was an invdividual--a thoroughly compassionate and distinctly Irish one.

Judy Griffin

May 28, 2010

Father, thank you for being there for me always. You were truly a gift from God.

May 28, 2010

I loved Father very much. He was always there for me.

Joan Hansen

May 28, 2010

Father Donohoe is someone I shall always remember. His sermons were the best, like he was talking directly to me, on a personal level. His words could bring a tear to my eye or make me chuckle, all in the same sentence.
He was one of the best speakers I ever heard in my life.
He brought many good things to the school; always thinking of the children. His special Halloween Mass and school cook-outs are fond memories of mine. He believed no child should be deprived of a Catholic education, regardless of their family's financial status.
He allowed every child the opportunity, for which I am grateful.
When my father passed away in 1989, Father Donohoe was at our side within minutes. His words at the funeral Mass were spoken with such honesty, humor, and grace.
I am happy to have known Father Donohoe and will never forget his no-nonsense attitude, honest approach, and compassionate ways.

Paula Porter

May 28, 2010

Father Phil was a joy & a blessing to our family and the Sacred Heart Parish for many years. Thank you for sharing your Irish heart and soul with all of Oklahoma for more than 50 years. We love you and will miss your twinkling eyes...

May 28, 2010

I have known Fr Phil since grade school at St Patricks. I am happy to say that over the years we kept in touch and I visited with him just last month. We always shared laughs and memories of "the old days". He always had an ear to listen. I will miss him not only has a priest, but has a true friend. Phil Nevore, okc, ok

Michael Heenan

May 28, 2010

Father Phil has the thanks of many for leaving his homeland on a mission and making that new homeland Oklahoma. With gratitude for his dedication and his many good works and for my first communion at St. Patrick's in 1957.

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