Paul Donahue

Paul Allen Donahue, 91, passed away peacefully in his home on September 25, 2024. He was born on December 19, 1932 and he was the youngest son of his dear mother, Evelyn Donahue (née Hood). His brother, Robert, and his sister, Elizabeth, preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Pauline, in 2018. He was a cherished father of 5: Dolores Beach (Ray), Mary Jane Ekker (Steve), Paul Donahue (Jonna, d.), Carol Tomcho (Kevin), and Nancy Blase (Steve). He was greatly loved by his 10 grandchildren: Amanda Beach, Tiffany Burnheimer, Michael Beach, Kelly Beach, Elizabeth Bittner, Dana Donahue, Shane Donahue, Kevin Tomcho, Monica Blase, and Brad Blase.

He was proud to have served in the United States Army as a Sergeant, in the Korean War. He was fond of saying that he had been there “to free the South Korean people from the shackles of Communistic aggression”.

He moved his family from Manchester, New Hampshire to North Olmsted, Ohio in 1969. The plant where he worked had closed, and Union Carbide made offers to only 4 men to move to Ohio for guaranteed jobs at their plant in Lakewood, Ohio. He worked as the inventory manager until he retired in 1997. He lived his life with strict routines and discipline, with a daily walking schedule so regimented that neighbors would joke they could set their clocks to him.

He enjoyed hobbies such as exercising in his home gym, cooking, baking bread, carving and then painting wooden characters, and watching and rating movies. He enjoyed the occasional brief socialization, but always made it very clear when it was time to leave and go back home.

He was a good man, and a devoted Catholic. He sat in the same pew every Sunday for Mass until his health declined and he was home bound. His passing has left a hole in many lives, and he will be greatly missed.

At his request, there will be no wake and no funeral Mass. A full military honors burial, however, will occur soon.