Daniel Joseph Donahue

D. Joseph (Joe) Donahue, 90, of Naples, Florida died January 8, 2017 at his condo in Naples. He is survived by his 3 children - son, Craig J. Donahue of Plymouth, Michigan and wife, Linda Brandt; son, Bruce E. Donahue of Bend, Oregon and his wife, Karen Donahue; daughter, Gail D. Sheflott of Avon, CT and her friend, Michael J. Dury; and 6 grandchildren - Tyler Donahue, Ryan Sheflott, Ross Sheflott and his wife, Emily Stropnicky Sheflott, Katherine Donahue, Colin Donahue and Emily Wilson and her husband Zak Wilson; one great granddaughter, Delany Bell Sheflott and his brother, Dennis Donahue and wife, Lois Donahue of Lakeland, Florida and sister, Dorothymae Donahue of Lemont, Illinois.

Joe welcomed to the family Craig’s stepsons, Brian Donahue and Jeff Brandt and step daughter, Kellie Brandt and Bruce’s step son, Nicholas Burkard.

Joe was married to his loving wife and mother of their children, Rose Boula Donahue (deceased 1969) and later to loving wife Beryl Donahue (deceased 1998).

Joe was born in Lemont, Illinois to Dennis Ambrose Donahue and Mary Dorothy Pauly Donahue. After serving in the Navy in World War II, Joe received his B.S, M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Physical Chemistry. Upon graduation, he became a member of the RCA team that developed the world’s first color picture tube. He transferred to RCA Semiconductors during the early years of transistors and integrated circuits. During the 17 years in this field, he held positions as Chief of Research and Development; Vice President, European Operations; Vice President, Integrated Circuits and Chief Executive Officer.

He then joined RCA Consumer Electronics as Vice President, Operations. Under his leadership, the factory in Bloomington, Indiana was automated and became the largest television factory in the world. Later he was named CEO where he further strengthened RCA’s market leadership in television receivers, VCRs and video cameras.

When GE purchased RCA and sold the Consumer Electronics business to Thomson, Dr. Donahue approached retirement by undertaking the company leadership in the competitive development of the HDTV system for the U.S and the political challenge of getting the standard approved by the Federal Communications Commission. That standard is now used across the U.S. and several other countries. In addition, he conceived of and led the establishment of the first HDTV station.

Dr. Donahue was a corporate officer of RCA, GE and Thomson. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and received the Distinguished Service Award of the Electronic Industries Association. He was designated as the Consumer Electronics Man of the Year in 1983. He was inducted into the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers and the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame. He was also awarded an Emmy by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his HDTV work.

He retired after 43 years in his distinguished career and moved to Naples, Florida. He was very active in the Naples community during his 20 years in Naples, including serving as a Trustee of Hodges University, Board Member of the Center for Critical Thinking, Board Member of Circumnavigators Club and Member of Outreach Committee of the Naples Council on World Affairs.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28 at 11:00 a.m. at the Naples Community Church, 849 7th Avenue S in Naples with a reception following the service. The location of the reception will be announced at the end of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.