Worcester – Donald James “Jim” Donohue, loving and beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in the UMass Medical Center. He was 71 years old, and was surrounded at the end by his adoring family.
Jim was born May 4, 1944 in Worcester, and was predeceased by his father, James Donohue, and his mother, Rita (Dupuis) Donohue. He graduated from Classical High School and attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst to attain a degree in Economics.
He began his career in finance at Guaranty Bank in Worcester. He introduced Credit Card Banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and Home Equity Consumer Loans in Worcester County. His final position was as a Vice President at the Bank of New England in Boston.
He moved to South Carolina in 1992 where he worked as a Business Broker and a contractor with the Black & Veatch International Company in Murrells Inlet.
He also worked as a courier for the ABC Courier Company of Marlborough up to the time of his passing.
Jim was most proud of his award of a world angling record for a catch of the heaviest fish of the Haddock species in an approved line class category. This fish, caught on “The Bunny Clark” out of Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, Maine, was 9 pounds, 15 ounces. This haddock cast him into the Guinness Book of World Records May 24, 1988.
Jim was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. He enjoyed reading about U.S. history and visiting historic locations and national parks around the country. He was an enthusiastic bird watcher. He loved family gatherings, fishing, geo-caching, hiking, attending sporting events, and playing with his grandchildren. Most modern technology irritated him, so he lived “old-school.”
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Christine (Poshkus) Donohue; his three sons, Lee and his wife Dawn Grady Donohue of North Grafton, Craig Donohue of Westborough, and Barry Donohue of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two brothers, Vincent and John Donohue, both of Worcester; and his three grandchildren, Morgan, Logan, and Olivia Donohue. Jim was predeceased by a brother, Robert Donohue.
Jim’s family would like to invite everyone whose lives Jim touched to a Remembrance Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1-4 p.m., at their Windsor Ridge Complex.
To share your thoughts and memories of Jim, visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his favorite charity, Special Olympics, at https://donate.specialolympics.org or 1-800-380-3071.
