Eugene J. Donahue

Eugene J. Donahue, 84, passed peacefully into God's arms surrounded by his wife and nieces on December 16, 2021, at his home in Clarks Summit.

Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late John and Ann Walsh Donahue. He was an active member of the Church of St. Gregory, and a graduate of South Catholic High School. After having served honorably in the United States Army, he proudly put himself through evening school and graduated from the University of Scranton.

He held management positions at Dun & Bradstreet Inc., Kingston National Bank and Third National Bank. However, Gene was an entrepreneur at heart, so he left the corporate world and started and sold several thriving businesses and properties over the years. His passion project began in 1975, when he opened PDQ Printing on Mulberry Street in Scranton. Under Gene's strategic vision, PDQ was recognized by Quick Printing Magazine as one of the 100 largest businesses of its type in the United States. He successfully ran the business until his retirement in 1996.

Gene was a committed community steward, having served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for St. Francis Kitchen, St. Joseph's Center, Marywood Heights, formerly known as Holy Family Residence, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. He was past-president of the Country Club of Scranton and the Scranton Industrial Development Company (SIDCO). He spent more than 30 years as a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where in 2010, Gene was presented with the Champion of Youth Award. He was also recognized by the Club as the first honorary member of the Jeremiah Milbank Society, a national recognition for individuals who make exceptional gifts to their local club.

Gene is survived by his loving wife, Erin; his nieces and their families, Ann Collett and husband, Thomas, Gainesville, Fla.; Elizabeth Devine, Esq. and husband, Sean T. Devine, M.D., Scranton; and Molly Sullivan and husband, Dennis, Scranton; Erin's sons, Bryan Splendido and wife, Christine, Bernardsville, N.J.; and Neil Splendido and fiancée, Michelle Fischer, Exeter. He relished his role as "Dee" to his grandnieces and nephews, William and Magen Collett, Gainesville; Molly, Clare, and Grace Devine, Scranton; and Patrick, Shamus, and Liam Sullivan, Scranton; and to Erin's grandchildren, Luca, Sophie, and Dylan Splendido, Bernardsville.

He was preceded in death by his sisters and their husbands, Martha and Thomas Ruddy; and Marilyn and Andrew Walsh; and his beloved aunt and uncle, Marie and John Schofield.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor David L. Tressler and Fr. John Lapera on Monday, Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Church of St. Gregory, Clarks Green. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton. Friends may call at the Church from noon until 1:45 p.m. All attendees are required to wear masks for both the viewing and the Mass, and social distancing will be observed. Arrangements by Thomas J. Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 1240 St. Ann St., Scranton.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Allied Hospice for their care and compassion this week, and Dr. Kenneth Tomczyk and the staff at 65 Forward for their extraordinary care and dedication.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Allied Hospice, 100 Abington Executive Park, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.