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Jay Donahue Obituary
Mr. Donahue was a truck driver for TLC of Johnston for the past 6 years.
Jay was a member or the Riverside Bishop Hickey Knights of Columbus and an alumni of School One, Providence. He enjoyed fishing, camping, oil painting, and was a lover of the arts.
Besides his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Russell J. Donahue and his wife Deborah of Riverside and Mark J. Donahue, also of Riverside; a nephew, Russell John Donahue; and a niece, Kathryn Donahue. He was the brother of the late Stephen Donahue. He was the companion of Cheryl A. Sauchuk of Riverside.
His funeral will be held on Friday, June 2, 2006, from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 7:30 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Traverse Street, Providence at 9 a.m. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday 4-8 p.m. Flowers are respectfully omitted. Contributions in Jay's memory to the American Heart Association 275 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903, would be deeply appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jay Donahue
Deb
May 25, 2025
almost 20 years since you've been gone Jay. Your absence is still so felt. Mom's with you now.. the world is strange without you, I know you've been looking after Mark. He made it through the winter. Thank you for being the best brother. Love Deb
Deb Donahue
April 23, 2025
I miss you Jay
Debbie Donahue
December 20, 2006
It’s been a strange year without you, Jay. I find myself crying at stupid things, like mushrooms in the grocery store. Stupid, I know.. But we really miss you.
Halloween was really strange! We drove by your house five times.. But it was just too hard to go there with the kids and not see you in your mask… The kids and Russ were really sad. It definitely was not our traditional Halloween… RJ was Superman (not Spiderman!! ) and Katie was a Goth Vampire.
We really miss Cheryl and I’ve called a couple of times to talk to her, but she was such a part of who you were that it’s hard to see her…. But Christmas is coming…
We are in a new house, Jay. It makes us all very sad that you can’t come visit and sit with us and joke… I hope you can see us all and know that we love our new home…
I have Vore’s manger set up on the mantle, and the handprints that you make with Cheryl and the kids is up in RJ’s room. You will always be in our hearts.. I can’t believe how much I miss you..
Russ has a picture of you in the visor of his car, and he looks up at you when he’s driving. ( I don’t know if that a good thing) but you give him strength and you help him through.. He does miss you though, and talks about you constantly.
Katie and RJ always talk about the bumper cars every time we drive by and thank heaven that they were able to spend that time “Uncle Jay Jay” before you were called home..
Your friend “Joey Rooney” is now Russ’ boss, and he was blown away when he realized that his “Larry” was Russ’ “Jay”.
Merry Christmas Jay Jay. We love and miss you. Russ, Katie and RJ all bought work boots so that they can look like you and it’s makes your mom cry every time she sees RJ in them.
We all miss you so much, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without you and it’s really hard to get into it. I think it’s the same for all of us..
Love you Jay Jay
(your sister-in-law)
Cheryl Sauchuk
November 27, 2006
No Kiwi-Lime pie this year Jay. Jared tried something different, Coconut-bananna cream!!!! You"ld have loved it. I already told you that holidays wouldn't be the same, I wasn't joking!!!! You weren't here and me and Jared stayed home alone and watched MOVIES, not football, imagine that!! The movies weren't even good(ha ha ha). I'll be by to see you real soon, I have something special for you. You know I have NO transportation, but my gift will crack you up, like only WE know.. I miss you Jay, I gave all you favorite Beatles things to a very good friend of ours, that loved them as much as you, maybe more, and I know you'ld be proud for him to display the things the way he has. I try and keep you proud and happy in your place of rest, though it's not an easy task, but you were always here for me, for better or worse, right???? No-one, except Jared, will ever know what we actually had, but I will take you to my grave. I got you tatooed on my body. You, my brtoher, and my father. My three major men okay? My three bleeding hearts, complete with names, hearts, and the dripping blood, totally beautiful. You'ld love it. Four weeks till Christmas, I'm not in a panic yet, but I feel it coming. I'm almost scared to ask Jaerd to get my things from the attic. Your Christmas stocking is going to hit some strings. I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year and you know I'm Ms. Christmas. I'll see you before then okay Jay.
Love ya
Cheryl
Cheryl Sauchuk
November 5, 2006
Well Jay,
Halloween came and went, I never got to see the kids, but I did win a prize!!!! Second place this year, not first:( You were very active in the house though, but I'm no longer scared. The mask spun for half the night and freaked me out, but then I realized that you were just letting you presence known. You must really miss life, your death has made you so alive it's scary at times, especially when I'm alone in the house. I try to figure out what you're trying to tell me, but my mind is still so screwed up from you dying that I just talk to you when you're here, instead of being scared. Every time Paula and Rueben are here, and we are talking about you, your mask spins!!!! It's so eerie, and you know Paula freaks out, and me and Rue laugh, we just don't know what you're thinking these days. I miss the kids, but I'm sure they don't forget either. I found my guardian Angel, her name is Martha, and she is a beautiful woman. You didn't know her either, but she did come and pay her respescts to you in the end, for me. She is a big part of my life now, and has brought the Lord back into my life. I am pretty sure you'ld be proud of my new found religion. I can finally talk about it without getting mad. It's taken a toll on me, but I realize if you have something to believe in, you can go on. My birthday is next week, and I'm missing you already. I want chocolate cake!!!!!!!!! I asked Jared to step up. I'm sure he will. I'll talk to you again soon. Missing you.
Cheryl, your little buttercup
Cheryl Sauchuk
October 24, 2006
Well Jay
Halloween is almost here. It seems so strange to be getting costumes ready without you. Ethan is going to be Spiderman, of course, but I can't seem to figure out what to be. For the past ten years it's been couples costumes. Boy did we win some great prizes or what? Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you, and I can only imagine what the rest of the holidays have in store for me. Christmas will be the worst I'm sure. Your stocking will hang in my house with care. Trying to pull my life back in order, the nightmares still come, and am doing my best to overcome them. Be at peace Jay, knowing you are with your maker. See you in the future.
Always Remembering
Always Loving
Always Best Friends
Cheryl
Cheryl Sauchuk
September 14, 2006
It's been almost four months now Jay, things have changed drastically without you here. The day of your funeral I came home and found a turtle in the EXACT spot where you died. We call him Otis, because that is what all you black family called you. He is already almost too big for his tank. I know you are still with me, the lights going on and off by themselves, the closet door upstairs opening and closing by itself, and your mask you made in seventh grade spinning when we talk about you, lets me know you're still here, in spirit anyways. We talked many hours about the afterlife, I now believe that you were right. Shawna misses you something awful. Your bathroom buddy. She cries at the bathroom door every morning at about 4a.m., wakes us all up. Keeps us all remembering. I've gone on and I'm okay, but YOUR KIDS don't let me forget. Ethan picked up some shells on the beach down the Cape and said he was gonna send them to Gramps in Heaven, he loves you soooo much, and he still hasn't forgotten you. Not bad for a four year old huh? And you thought you never had any kids!!!! You touched so many people and never even knew. Keep shining down on us, sometimes it just helps us get through the day. Always loving you and missing you, but still going forward.
Your Best Friend and Lover
Cheryl
Cheryl Sauchuk
June 30, 2006
The tears don't stop flowing and the heartache doesn't go away. I hope you know it's me every Friday morning with the red rose and there will be one every Friday, for you my Love. I never felt this empty before, you totally filled my life with joy and happiness. One thing for sure, we were never bored. I miss the sunshine you brought to my every day and the passion you brought to my nights. I love and miss you more every day. Those beautiful brown eyes looking at me the way you always did. I miss you Jay more than words can say.
Your Honey Pot
Debbie Donahue
June 29, 2006
It has now been more than a month since you've been gone, Jay. It's hard because we feel it more acutely that we won't be able to see you face to face anymore.. To hug you and laugh with you.. The loss is very very real now. That's really hard to take. Say "hi" to all the friends and family up there in paradise for me... Love you Jay Jay Debbie (sister-in-law)
Ethan Rivera
June 27, 2006
Gramps I sleep with you every night. I hope you like Heaven. I miss you real bad. I ask Mommy all the time if you can come home, she said I will see you in Heaven some day. I love you Gramps.
Love Ethan
Jennifer Brooks
June 20, 2006
Jay was one of the most loving and caring men I've ever meet. I've had some great times with him and Cheryl in New York and Cape Cod. I will definately cherish those times and will miss him dearly.
Cheryl Sauchuk
June 14, 2006
Snugglebum
I miss you more and more each day. I am so glad we went so many places and did so many things so I can concentrate on the beautiful life we had together. The cigar ashtray lay empty and tears me apart daily. Missing you hard. Love for life right? Say hello to my brother and make your dream of meeting John Lennon come true. See you in the afterlife.
Broken Hearted
Cheryl Sauchuk
[email protected]
Laurel J. Enos
June 5, 2006
Cousin Jay, I remember happy times with you & our family.
I miss you and I love you for infinity.
Your Cousin,
Laurel June Enos.
[email protected]
Lori Schmitt
June 5, 2006
Terri and Donahue family
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Bobby Reed
June 3, 2006
god please take care of my friend. i will never forget him ,
SFC Durango J
June 1, 2006
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Debbie Donahue
June 1, 2006
Jay, I never knew anyone who could make people smile at just the thought of you.... It will be that way forever... I loved you Jay. You were always there for us and for Katie and RJ. We will miss you so much. Forver and Eternity.
Russ Donahue
June 1, 2006
Well Jay, here we are. Smack dab in the middle of it. I wish you were here to give me advice, I probably never told you how much it has meant to me over the years. I was always amazed at your sensitivty to things, I don't have that. you were my voice of reason. While I was out thinking about how I was going to rule the world, you were checking to make sure the bookshelf wouldn't topple over onto my kids. While I was out scheduling all the big things in my life, you were remembering everyone's birthdays and holidays. I gotta tell you, your shoes are going to be hard to fill, but I'll give it my best. I hope you know how much I loved you and how proud I was of you, I just wish I had said it more. 10-4 SIX STRING HOLLOW.
Dale Howard
May 31, 2006
Jay,I met you for the first time in 2000. It was the worst time in my life,you embraced me and kept picking at me until I smiled.I love for that,I will never forget your smile,your kind words or all the good times I had with you & Cheryl.Camping will never be the same again.I will miss you deeply & I will always hold you close in my heart. I love you Jay. Always
Marsha Seales
May 31, 2006
Jay,
Missing you hard. Your pleasant smile your encouragment and the good posative motivation that you give me everytime i come to town. Cheryl and you were the best couple. Alway's love smelling your cigar's. We will see you in that better place. Marsha Seales
Preston (Cousin Dody) Lawhorne
May 30, 2006
Jay was the happiest person I ever knew, he always had a smile on his face. He loved music, playing his guitar, camping out, and fishing. We had many many good times together, and I will miss him so much!
Paula Seales
May 30, 2006
Otis
I dont know what say but, I love you.I think I am mad,beause I was not ready for you to go
Paula
Cheryl Sauchuk
May 30, 2006
My heart has belonged to you for many years, and for many more to come. You may have left this earth but not my heart. I will love you in your death as much as I've loved you in life.
Cheryl
Jared Sauchuk
May 30, 2006
For a decade now, Jay has been there through both good times and bad. Through the years he has always been able to lift spirits when good times are bad and make good times even better. Whether fishing, walking or even just watching movies, he was the one who made all events memorable. He will be in our hearts and in our minds for many years to come. Leaving with us plenty of memories to keep us up when things are down.
John & Carol enos
May 30, 2006
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
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