1933 was the year prohibition ended and the year the world was blessed with John Andrew Donohue. As a child, John loved playing baseball and spending time in the outdoors, especially the Adirondack mountains. John graduated from the Utica Free Academy then proudly served in the United States Army as an X-ray technician in Korea and, yes, he did enjoy watching the M.A.S.H. TV series. Upon completion of service, John returned to his home town where he attended Utica College, played on the baseball and football teams, graduating with a degree in marketing. John later served on the Board of Trustees of his beloved alma mater, Utica College and as a Director of The Utica College Foundation.

John enjoyed a long career in the life insurance industry, primarily with the Equitable Life Assurance Society, managing the Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo offices for more than 15 years. As a successful manager/agent he was highly esteemed by those who worked with/for him as well as other colleagues in the industry. John earned the Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations, and most importantly for him, a Masters in Financial Services Degree from The American College. He also served as President of both the Estate Planning Council of Central New York and the Central New York Chapter of CLU/ChFC Society.

John spent most of his adult life playing softball. He led company teams, church teams and often subbed on his son’s teams as well; nothing made him smile more than hearing his opponents heckle “the old guy” right before he hit a double over their heads. John was thrilled to become part of the Syracuse Senior Cyclones at the age of 56. He continued playing with the Cyclones for 20 years, participating in tournaments around the country and even winning the Senior Softball World Series in Winnipeg, Canada.

John’s faith was also a very important part of his life. He was a beloved member and supporter of several parishes in his life including St. Thomas Episcopal church (North Syracuse, NY), St. Peter’s by the Lake (Old Forge, NY) and Trinity Episcopal (Fayetteville, NY). He served on the vestry and was an usher, giving everyone fist bumps as a greeting. John was a firm believer in helping those less fortunate and supported many favorite charities in Central New York as well as others around the world. As a close friend recently said, “John Donohue’s legacy of giving is all around us”.

Nothing was more important to John than his family. Time spent with them brought him immense joy, whether it was playing baseball or football in the backyard with his own kids and later his grandchildren, watching SU football on tv, or traveling on the ADK Queen on Fourth Lake. John was considered the unofficial mayor of Rocky Point in Inlet, NY where the family has a camp, as he never passed anyone without smiling and a positive comment. Whether he was surrounded by his entire family or just a few, John would always give a heartwarming smile, raising his arms and declaring, “This is happiness!” John’s friends were numerous as he never met someone who didn’t immediately become a cherished friend for life. He epitomized the William Butler Yeats quote, “There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met.” Amazingly, he could always find a Utica “Six Degrees Of Separation” with anyone he encountered. He would always ask where they grew up, where they went to school and who has the best pizza in town.

He is predeceased by his parents, Edward & Cornelia Donohue; sister Cornelia Rettie; and brother, Ted Donohue, John more recently lost his 2 youngest children, Brendan(2009) & Katy (2015) and looked forward to seeing them again.

John leaves behind his beautiful wife/”girlfriend” of 63 years, Valerie F. Donohue; daughters, Deborah Donohue and Carol Briggs (Rick); son Jay Donohue (Debra); daughter-in-law, Judy Donohue(Brendan); grandchildren, RJ Briggs (Leia), Justin Esposito (Danielle), Joseph Schwonke, Caitlin Schwonke, Ryan Donohue, Grace Donohue, John Paul Donohue, Alex Donohue, Benjamin Donohue; great-grandson, Jensen Esposito; favorite “outlaws”, Gary and Judy Gilbert; and many nieces and nephews; John, Dad, Uncle John, Grandad, Senior will be truly missed every day.

Take time to enjoy your loved ones and spread a little happiness every day.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 11am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 106 Chapel Street, Fayetteville. Masks are required.  To view the service live, the Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81533451494?pwd=ZTZaRlhQRnJwOUdmZnNqVlZrQldlUT09