Obituary of Edward P. Donohue

Dr. Edward P. Donohue, a resident of Wappingers Falls, entered into rest Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. He was 85. The son of the late Edward and Cecelia Smith Donohue, he was born on November 10, 1932 in Queens. Edward left home at a young age to become a Marist Brother. He traveled the world teaching and serving others as a Brother in his early years. He attended Marist College, Catholic University and Fordham University eventually attaining his doctorate in philosophy. He married the love of his life, the former Nancy O'Brien, whom he met at Marist College, on December 28, 1974 at Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Donohue preceded him in death on March 9, 2016. Edward lived a life of selflessness and service to others. He was a wonderful man who presented himself with dignity, grace and the utmost humbleness in all that he did; he was a person to be admired. He was a teacher in every sense of the word. He coached basketball in his younger years, taught high school mathematics and eventually taught a variety of philosophy courses and held the position of Head of Philosophy at Marist College. Ed helped build the Marist Library as a Marist Brother and spent 40 years at the college doing what he loved, as he never saw teaching as work. But above all, his greatest joy and love in life was his family. He often said that being a father was the most cherished part of his life and the years raising his children were his most enjoyable years. Ed enjoyed playing the piano, classical music, attending Broadway shows, museums and studying esthetics / art. Sports were also a passion of his and he always enjoyed watching his favorite teams: the New York Yankees, Giants and Knicks. Golf was also a favorite past-time in his earlier years. He had a thirst for travel and enjoyed cruising with his wife, taking almost 30 cruises after retirement. Survivors include his children, Ned Donohue and his wife, Tracie of Hopewell Junction, and Hope Pinto and her husband, Peter of Poughkeepsie; his brother, Kevin Donohue of Queens; his grandchildren, Luke and Eve Pinto, and Jack and Eryn Donohue; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother, Thomas and sisters, Cecelia and Rosemarie. Family will receive friends on Monday, December 11, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 12 at the Church of St. Columba, 835 Route 82 in Hopewell Junction. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Marist College Advancement Office, 3399 North Road, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601. For directions or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.