Michael Christopher Donahue

DONAHUE, Michael C (1946-2019), Aged 72, of Anthem, Arizona, passed away suddenly January 11, 2019 in Phoenix, AZ. A devoted husband of over 50 years, he is survived by his wife Erna. He is the son of the late Michael Donahue and Helen (Joyce) Donahue, formerly of Norwood, MA. A former resident of Easton, MA for over 37 years, Michael was born in Norwood, Massachusetts, was a 1964 graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, 1968 graduate of Boston College and 1972 graduate of Boston University Law School. An accomplished attorney, he worked in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, successfully arguing in front of the United States Supreme Court in 1976, winning the landmark case Meachum v. Fano which remains American legal precedent governing inmate transfer rights. He later served as General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, before moving into private practice and joining the law firm of Sheridan, Garrahan, and Lander, where he became a partner and head of litigation. While at the firm, he also taught Criminal Justice at Anna Maria College. In 1985 he joined the firm of Gelerman and Cashman, becoming a partner and changing the firm’s name to Gelerman, Cashman, and Donahue. In 1995 he left the firm and established his own practice in Easton, Massachusetts, consulting for the Department of Corrections and performing substantial and significant work for the Massachusetts Teachers Association until his retirement in 2016. While his career accomplishments were among the elite attorneys, his life hallmarks were as a husband, father and devoted friend who filled others’ lives with humor, knowledge and passionate debate. He is revered by his children for his love and unconditional support, for whom he set the ultimate example of what a husband and father should be. He leaves a legacy on the youth soccer landscape of Massachusetts where he served as a Coach and Manager. In the 1980s and 90s, he devoted his time to ensure players across Bristol County, MA were provided opportunities to compete in the District Select and Olympic Development Programs. He had a passion for travel and cherished his vacations to the British Virgin Islands with his wife and friends for over 25 years. An avid Boston sports fan, reader and traveler, he fell in love with the American Southwest and moved to Arizona in 2016. In retirement, he continued to travel the world with his wife, Erna, and visited Ireland, Italy, South Korea, and countless states, sharing love and memories along the way. In addition to Erna, his wife of 50 years, Michael, is survived by his four children and families, including 10 grandchildren; Kirsten and Frank Holmes of Easton, MA and their girls, Julia, Natalie and Johanna; Michael and Kelli Donahue of Prosper, Texas, and their children, Michael, Rory and Regan; Brendan and Amy Donahue of Easton, MA, and their boys, Colin, Jack and Jonah; and Brian and Syol Hee Donahue of Seoul, Korea, and their son, Brian Jr. A celebration of Michael’s life will be held in Massachusetts in May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s memory to Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, at the following https://catholicmemorial.myschoolapp.com/page/give-now?siteId=1330&ssl=1