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John R. "Jack" Silvernail Jr
ELIOT, Maine -John R. "Jack" Silvernail Jr. , 39, of Punkintown Road in Eliot, died suddenly, Sunday Jan. 26, 2003, in Eliot. Born on April 23, 1963, he was a son of John and Jeannette (Carter) Silvernail. He was a 1981 graduate of Tri-County Vocational School High School, majoring in plumbing.
Mr. Silvernail was a self-employed carpenter, working for a number of years with his father before moving to Maine over seven years ago. He also spent a time in Margate, Fla. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, fishing, trapping and archeology.
He is survived by his family, his wife, Maggie Conlin of Eliot; his children, Danyka E, John R III, and Michele P. Silvernail of Mansfield, Mass., and Charlene Silvernail of Eliot, Maine; his parents, Jeanette Morrison of Madbury, N.H., and John Silvernail of Foxboro, Mass.; grandparents Warren and Phyllis Silvernail of Walpole, Mass., and Lillian and the late Charles Carter of Madbury, N.H.; a brother, Leon Morrison of Dover, N.H., and a sister, Kimberly Morrison of Somersworth, N.H.; several aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as his former wife, Sharon Hagberg Silvernail.
SILVERNAIL - John R. "Jack" Silvernail Jr., 39, of Punkintown Road in Eliot, Maine, died suddenly Sunday Jan. 26, 2003, in Eliot. A time of sharing and remembrance to visit with Mr. Silvernail’s family will be held on Friday Jan. 31, 2003 from 12-2 p.m. at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, Maine 03904.
Makayla Mae Syvertson
LEE - Funeral services were held Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 2003, at the Robert K. Gray Jr. Funeral Home, 24 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, N.H., for Makayla Mae Syvertson, infant daughter of Tiffany Syvertson and loving granddaughter of Karl and Shirley (Hochmuth) Syvertson of 3 Little Hook Road, Lee, who died unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at her home.
Rev. Agapit H. Jean Jr., pastor of St. James Church in Portsmouth, conducted the funeral services at the funeral home. He personalized the baby’s service and through both prayer and his kind words, he truly comforted Makayla’s family. The organist was Jean Goss, the soloists were Heather Weller and Carly Souza. Words of remembrance, written by Makayla’s grandmother Shirley, her great-grandfather Roy Syvertson, and her great-aunt Lauren (Mrs. Glenn) Wise were also shared by Fr. Aggie as part of the funeral service.
Private interment was held for the family with committal prayers offered by Fr. Aggie. A mercy meal followed the funeral services and was held at the Galley Hatch Restaurant. In Makayla’s memory, contributions may be made to VICTIMS Inc., The Joan Ellis Victim Assistance Network, P.O. Box 455, Rochester, NH 03866. Arrangements were under the direction of the Robert K. Gray Jr. Funeral Home, 24 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842.
Marjorie R. Odell
EXETER - Marjorie "Peg" Rahmann Odell, 89, a remarkable mother and lifelong activist for women and peace, died peacefully Jan. 26, 2003, at her home at RiverWoods in Exeter, where she had lived for the past nine years.
Born Sept. 27, 1913, in Summit, N.J., the daughter of Arthur Henry and Marjorie Bailey Rahmann, she attended Kent Place School, Wellesley College, and Katherine Gibbs Academy, and on Feb. 6 1937, married Malcolm Jamieson Odell of Winnetka, Ill.
As a professional woman in the 1930s she was asked to take charge of marketing an innovative medical service for families - a precursor of today’s health insurance and HMO programs that was fought and killed by the AMA at that time.
The Odells lived in Greenwich Village in New York City where Mrs. Odell worked as a private secretary for a vice president of National City Bank. During World War II the family moved to Washington, D.C., after which they lived in Mendham, N.J., and Manchester-by-the-Sea, Shirley Center, and Amesbury, Mass., before moving to Exeter in 1994.
Peg was a born storyteller, keen observer, thoughtful and witty commentator on life, taking an intense interest in the world around her and all its people. She set aside a promising professional future and became a committed mother and community activist. Long a passionate advocate for peace, she was also and intrepid sailor and avid tennis player well in her 80s. Full of zest for life, she enjoyed reading, skiing, hiking, traveling, gardening, jazz, dancing (especially the Charleston) and supporting the adventures of all of her various family members around the globe.
She was a founder of the "Beyond War" initiative in New England, served as chairman of the Finance Committee for the town of Shirley, was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church in Amesbury, a volunteer for the Haverhill Council on Aging, and tireless supporter of her husband through their restoration and preservation of the 200-year-old Lowell’s Boat Shop on the Merrimac River in Amesbury, now a National Historic Landmark, part of the U.S. Park Service and a "working museum" within the Newburyport Maritime Society.
A woman with remarkable core values and spiritual commitment, she was often seen taking notes during church sermons, not so much for noting the lessons as to remember where she disagreed with them. She counted among her friends leaders of the Episcopal Church and the teacher to the Dalai Lama, whose prayer flags flutter in the winter breeze today outside her apartment in Exeter.
Peg Odell was also a pianist, organist, and accomplished cook. Among her collection of eclectic recipes was a method of making iced tea that was so special, one very sick young man claimed it saved his life.
From her childhood to the day she died, Marjorie was an outspoken and tireless advocate for women and women’s rights. As a young girl at Miss Hood’s pre-school in Summit, N.J., she organized her classmates to fight for equal access rights - to the playground. She rallied the girls who had been repeatedly driven under the steps at recess by the boys. The girls charged out, drove away the boys, and reclaimed the playground once and for all.
As a young woman at Wellesley she insisted that the college focus on women’s roles in the world, not just women’s roles in a man’s world. In the 1950s she helped low-income women in Cape Ann communities obtain family planning services at a time when they were still outlawed in Massachusetts. As a mother and grandmother she encouraged her daughter and granddaughters to become politically active and to speak out for women in every walk of life.
During retirement at RiverWoods, and until the day she died, she took keen interest in the advancement of women globally, providing personal encouragement and financial support of the Pact/Worth women’s literacy and empowerment programs in poor countries in which her family has been involved for the past eight years.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years; daughter Susan Odell Hand of Wellesley, Mass.; and sons Malcolm Odell Jr. of S. Hampton, and George Odell of Newburyport Mass.
ODELL - Marjorie "Peg" Rahmann Odell, 89, died peacefully Jan. 26, 2003, at her home at RiverWoods in Exeter. Services will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at Christ Church in Exeter. Burial and a memorial celebration will be held at a later date. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Mrs. Odell’s memory to The Marjorie R. Odell Worth Women’s Fund, a global women’s empowerment program, established with the support of her family, that reflects the values for which she stood. (Pact Worth Initiative, Suite 350, 1200 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036; www.pactworld.org/support/>). Brewitt F.H., 14 Pine St., Exeter, is handling arrangements.
John J. "Jack" Donohoe
RYE - John J. "Jack" Donohoe, formerly of Woburn, Mass., died Jan. 27, 2003.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia (Cullen) Donohoe; sons and daughters, Michael Donohoe and wife Donna of Georgetown, Mass., Maureen Gallagher and husband Daniel of Lexington, Mass., Mark Donohoe of Rockport, Mass., Marcia Donohoe of Jensen Beach, Fla., Jay Donohoe and wife Beth of York, Maine, Barry Donohoe and wife Linda of North Hampton, Shawn Donohoe of Thompson, Conn., and the late Kevin Donohoe; his sisters and brothers, Eleanor Bussier of Hampstead, Ronald Donohoe and Janet McLean, both of Woburn, Mass., Gerald Donohoe of Ipswich, Mass., James Donohoe of Homosassa, Fla., Patricia Durkin of Northwood, and the late Miriam Donahoe, Carol Lumbert, Ann Callahan and Paul Donohoe; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
DONOHOE - John J. "Jack" Donohoe of Rye, N.H., formerly of Woburn, Mass., died Jan. 27, 2003. Funeral services will be from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003. The Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., in Woburn. Calling hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. Donations may be made in Jack’s memory to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, MA 01843.
Elinor Mildred Leavit
ELIOT - Elinor Mildred Leavitt, 80, of Sturgeon Creek Drive in Eliot, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at York Hospital. Born in Biddeford, Maine, on June 12, 1922, she was the daughter of Harry W. and Nellie M. (Williams) Macomber. As a child she lived for a short time in Florida with her family before moving to Eliot at an early age where she attended local schools, graduating from Eliot High School with the Class of 1939.
She met and married her loving husband of over 61 years, Howard B. Leavitt.
They made their home in South Eliot for a number of years before building their home on Sturgeon Creek in 1971. She was employed for many years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in the Production Department and for a time in the Planning Department as a secretary. After her retirement from the shipyard she worked for a number of years at the University of New Hampshire.
Mrs. Leavitt enjoyed knitting, crocheting and sewing as well as reading. She enjoyed music and was a talented pianist. Her first love was her family, enjoying time with them and shopping for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be missed by so many in her life.
She is survived by her husband, Howard B. Leavitt of Eliot; their daughter, Sandra and her husband, Paul Goodwin of Eliot; three granddaughters, Wendy and Melissa Goodwin of Eliot, and Susanne Goodwin of West Newfield; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas P. Goodwin and Kyle Franck; and her brother, Daniel W. Macomber of Eliot.
LEAVITT - Elinor M. Leavitt, 80, of Sturgeon Creek Drive in Eliot, died Tuesday Jan. 28, 2003, at York Hospital. A funeral will be held on Monday, Feb. 3, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Road, Kittery, Maine, with Rev. Dr. David Avery officiating. Friends may visit with Mrs. Leavitt’s family from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the spring in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the J.S Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
William Spaulding
WAKEFIELD, Mass. - William Spaulding, 87, investment analyst and philanthropist for numerous causes, died Jan 28, 2003, after a brief illness.
Mr. Spaulding, a 10th generation New Englander and longtime resident of Wakefield and Drakes Island, Maine, attended North Quincy High School before his adoption by his aunt and uncle at age 16, following his mother’s death.
He was the first in his family to graduate from college, graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a BS degree, followed by an MBA from Harvard in 1940.
During World War II, Mr. Spaulding volunteered for service with the 2nd Armored Division, rising to captain and receiving the Bronze Star while seeing action in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and Germany.
Mr. Spaulding excelled in his financial career, beginning as a trader with Kidder Peabody in New York City and culminating with 15 years of service as an independent director for the Fidelity Group of Mutual Funds in Boston.
He also served as chairman for the mutual fund company Century Shares Trust and as the chairman and CEO for Wakefield Savings Bank.
Beyond his financial career, Mr. Spaulding devoted substantial time and energy to the community with 42 years of service as director and financial president for the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield. Through this foundation, one of the largest such chapters in the U.S., Mr. Spaulding helped to give countless youth of Wakefield the opportunity to attend college. In addition to his work on the Scholarship Foundation, he also served as a trustee of the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital and Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, a trustee and founder of Laudholm Farm Trust’s National Estaurine Research Center in Wells, Maine, a member of the Wakefield Planning Board, and became a life-long contributor of important causes such as the Massachusetts Easter Seals Society. In honor of his service to his home town, Mr. Spaulding and his wife, Gertrude, were named Grand Marshals of the Wakefield Independence Day Parade in 1994.
Nor only concerned about local issues, Mr. Spaulding did his part to help foster well-being abroad with visits to Jamaica, South Africa and China as a volunteer for the International Executive Services Corps.
Mr. Spaulding shared 54 years of marriage with his wife, the late Gertrude (Mowry) Spaulding. He is survived by his sons Edward A. of Natick, Mass., and William M. of Arundel, Maine; and three grandchildren, Jason, Joy and Shane Spaulding.
"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." (Family motto)
SPAULDING - William Rowe Spaulding, 87, of Wakefield, Mass., died Jan. 28, 2003. A memorial service for Mr. Spaulding will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St., Wakefield, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003. Visitation will be at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Avenue, Wakefield, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2003. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Mr. Spaulding’s name may be made to the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, P.O. Box 321, Wakefield, MA 01880.
Pauline H. Welch
PORTSMOUTH - Funeral services for Mrs. Pauline Hawkins Welch, 88, of Portsmouth, were held from the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, Portsmouth, Thursday, with memorial services held at the First United Methodist Church in Portsmouth. The Rev. David Thompson, interim pastor, officiated. Words of remembrance was given by her son, Jim Welch. Ida Morang was the organist. In attendance were members of the Church and representatives from SunBridge of Portsmouth.
Cynthia M. Thibault
ANDOVER, Mass. - Largely attended funeral services entrusted to the Robert K. Gray Jr. Funeral Home, 24 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, N.H., were held Saturday morning, Jan. 25, 2003, for Cynthia M. "Kiddy" Thibault, 50, of 21 Carter Lane, Andover, Mass. Mrs. Thibault died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at the Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Mass., the result of an aneurysm she suffered while skiing earlier this month.
Over 700 family and friends gathered to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Church, 43 Essex St., Andover. The Funeral Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Alfred J. Ellis, O.S.A., main presider and homalist and pastor of St. Augustine Church. The concelebrating priests seated in the sanctuary included the Rev. Fritz J. Cerullo, O.S.A., pastor of St. Mary Church, Dover, N.H., the Rev. Harry J. Eardlen, parochial vicar of St. Augustine Church, the Rev. George R. Morgan, O.S.A, administrator of Merrimack College, and Brother John J. DelCasale, O.S.A. St. Augustine Church. Mr. Thibault’s cousin, the Rev. Ludger Dionne, O.P. retired of Washington, D.C., also participated.
The altar servers were Kaitlin George, Brian George, and Christopher George, the Crossbearer was Joseph Thibodeau, and Claude Gallant was the Sacristan. The organist was Anita Massie, St. Augustine Church music director, who led the St. Augustine Choir in song. Edward Owens, St. Augustine Church cantor, sang the special musical selections chosen by Mrs. Thibault’s family including a beautiful French hymn "J’irai la voi un jour," a particular family favorite. The funeral pall was placed on "Kiddy’s" casket by her husband of 25 years, L. Benoit, and their children, Trevor B., Jordan S. and Cristina C. Thibault. The crucifix was then placed on her casket by family friend Jacqueline Tabor.
The first reading, titled "A Friend," was offered by her oldest son, Trevor B. Thibault. The second reading was offered by Mrs. Thibault’s sister-in-law, Pierrette Thibault, who traveled from Montreal, Quebec, to attend the funeral services. The Prayers of the Faithful were offered by Eileen Broderick, Mrs. Thibault’s cousin. The Eucharistic Gifts were brought to the altar and presented by Casey Mithen and Nicole Sousa. Mr. Thibault delivered a loving tribute and personal reflection about his wife and the wonderful life they had shared. Eloquently, he recalled "Kiddy’s" devotion to her family, her love of her God, her appreciation of friendship, and the beauty of their every day life together.
Nearly 1,800 people filed by the casket of Mrs. Thibault, after being received by her family, during the visiting hours at St. Augustine Church on Friday and again Saturday morning at the Boles Memorial Baron McAuliffe Yameen Funeral Home before her Funeral Mass. Some 150 floral arrangements adorned the main altar, side altars, entrance and the aisles of St. Augustine Church.
The standing-room-only crowd that gathered at the funeral included a large delegation from Andover and surrounding towns, the St. Augustine Parish community, and a delegation of faculty, staff and students from the St. Augustine School community.
This representation was led by the school principal, Mary Moran. Representatives from the Greater Lawrence area business community, and numerous business associates from throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Canada, a large delegation from the Andover Country Club, and seasonal friends from Seabrook Beach, N.H., and Webster, N.H., were also in attendance.
Seating those attending were the ushers Kim Thibault, Philip Thibault, Derek Lampron, and Corey Mithen. Assistance with the funeral services was provided by the Boles Memorial Baron, McAuliffe, Yameen Funeral Home, 184 Jackson Street, Lawrence, Mass., under the direction of Marc L. Hebbelinck. The professional pallbearers provided by the funeral home included Marc L. Hebbelinck, Kevin Barry, Trevor T. Gearin, Brian Hammon, Steven Palatore and Christopher Kotyla, who impressively shouldered Mrs. Thibault’s casket down the aisle of St. Augustine Church at both the beginning and conclusion of her Funeral Mass.
Mrs. Thibault’s interment followed in the family lot in St. Augustine Cemetery, Andover, with the Rev. Alfred J. Ellis, O.S.A. and the Rev. Harry J. Eardlen, O.S.A., conducting the committal prayers. At the conclusion of the committal service her family formed a receiving line graveside, receiving each mourner as they placed a single rose on the casket, while paying their last respects. The pallbearers were family members, Gaetan Thibault, J.C. Thibault, Marc Thibault, Pierre Beauregard, Donald Lampron and Steve Mithen.
A mercy meal, attended by some 300 people hosted by L. Benoit Thibault and his children, Trevor B., Jordan S. and Cristina C. Thibault, was held at the Andover Country Club following the interment. In her memory, contributions may be made to the St. Augustine School Endowment Fund, Central Street, Andover, MA 01810. Arrangements under the direction of the Robert K. Gray Jr. Funeral Home, 24 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH 03842.
Evelyn Lucretia York
PORTSMOUTH - Evelyn Lucretia York, 100, of Portsmouth, died peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003, at the Sunbridge Nursing Home in Portsmouth, with her family by her side.
Born in Bath, Maine, on Aug. 13, 1902, she was the daughter of the late John Spinney and Ethel Parris Goff. She attended Morse High School in Bath where she was a member of the class of 1921. She was the school pianist. Throughout her life playing the piano gave her great joy.
She moved to Portsmouth in 1941 and was employed for more than 20 years as a bookkeeper for Portsmouth Refrigeration. In the 1940s and ‘50s, she played piano for several dance studios in the Portsmouth area. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary, Golden Ages and Senior Citizens Center. Her zest for life was admired by all.
She loved traveling, bowling, playing cards, dancing and time spent with friends. She will be remembered fondly by many as "Grammy York." Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were most important to her. She made each one feel as if they were her favorite.
She was the wife of the late Ormond York, who died in 1971. She was predeceased by her three children, Patricia Martha, John Parris, and Emery Hudson York; also two brothers and one grandson.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Carol York of Portsmouth; eight grandchildren, Deborah Reardon and her husband, Robert, Karen Trowell and her husband, James, of Greenland, Michele York of Portsmouth, William York and his wife, Katina, of Kittery, Maine, Patricia York and Sharon York, both of Ohio, John York and Donald, both of Florida; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Anna Crowley of Freeport, Maine, and Catherine Anderson of Portland, Maine; two brothers, John Goff of Suncook, and Richard Goff of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
YORK - Evelyn Lucretia York, 100, of Portsmouth, N.H., died Jan. 14, 2003. A memorial Mass for family and friends will take place in the spring when the beautiful flowers she loved so much will be in full bloom. Donations in her memory may be made to the Senior Citizen’s Center, Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
Dorothy Foley
PORTSMOUTH - Dorothy Foley, 75, of 23 Sewall Road, beloved wife and mother, died peacefully Jan. 30, 2003, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.
She was a lifelong resident of Portsmouth, the daughter of John and Anne (Larkin) Hafey. She graduated from Portsmouth High School with the class of 1945 and enjoyed attending her 50th class reunion. After graduation she was employed at the Internal Revenue Service and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
She was a lifelong parishioner at the Church of the Immaculate Conception and a former member of the Portsmouth Garden Club.
During the past decade she enjoyed traveling often with her family, and the opportunity to be together with them whenever possible. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Lawrence P. Foley; her daughter, Carolyn Foley and her husband, Frederick Hains of Wellesley, Mass.; her son, L. Patrick Foley and his wife, Kathleen and her grandchildren, Audra, Elissa, and Patrick Foley, all of Winchester, Mass.; and her sister, Anna Hafey of Portsmouth.
FOLEY - Dorothy Foley, 75, of Sewall Road died Jan. 30, 2003. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Monday at 10 a.m. Visiting hours at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St., Portsmouth on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Family flowers only please. Donations in her memory may be made to the Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Gordon F. Young
PORTSMOUTH - Funeral services for Gordon F. Young, 88, of 212 Walker Bungalow Road, were held Monday from the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, in Portsmouth, with services held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth.
The Rev. Ann Stevenson was celebrant. The homily was given by the Rev. Gordon R. Allen. Bagpiper was John Newman, and Barbara Flocco was organist. In attendance were members of the church and representatives from St. John’s Lodge No. 1 F&AM of Portsmouth; St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 56 F & AM of Portsmouth; Portsmouth Yacht Club; Yoken’s Restaurant; and the Comfort Inn in Portsmouth. Burial will be in Orchard Grove Cemetery, Kittery, Maine, in the spring. Bearers were Justin Witham, Andy Banes, Larry Kent, Dante Caminati, Fred Pettigrew, and Frank Butterworth. Masonic services were held Sunday evening at the funeral home by St. John’s Lodge No. 1 F&AM, including Verne Anderson, Wor. Master; Donald L. Stevens, P.M.; Edgar Anderson, P.M.; Nelson Hersey, P.M.; Calvin Wilder, P.M.; Martin Curtis, P.M.; Robert L. Sutherland, Jr., P.M.; George N. Flanders, P.M.; Glen Gordon, P.M.; Lennox B. Henderson, P.M; Rodney A. Robinson, P.M.; Dante Caminati; and David Colby. Also assisting in the services were Edward N. Wright Jr., P.M. of St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 56 F&AM of Portsmouth and James N. Earle of the Charles Dame Lodge of Georgetown,
John J. "Jack" Donohoe
RYE - John J. "Jack" Donohoe, 74, of Rye, a former Woburn resident and local politician, died suddenly on Monday, Jan. 27, at Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart, Fla. The husband of Patricia (Cullen) Donohoe, he was stricken just two days after arriving in Jensen Beach, Fla., where he and his wife planned to spend the winter.
Born in Woburn, Mass., 74 years ago, he was the son of the late John J. and Eleanor (Scott) Donohoe. He attended Woburn schools and lived there until taking up residence in Rye, N.H. in 1973.
A U.S. Navy veteran, he entered the Navy in 1946 and served aboard the USS Toledo and the USS Astoria.
Following the war, he was self-employed as a plumber and as a builder, later becoming a real estate developer and business owner in Maine and New Hampshire. He was involved in the original development of the Showcase Cinemas as well as the Northeast Trade Center near Route 128. He also took great pride in the development and restoration of historic mills throughout New England.
He was building inspector in Woburn until the late 1960s, and previously served as chairman of the Planning Board. He also served as Ward 4 alderman, and was a long-time member of the Woburn Lions Club. He was also part of the Woburn Golf and Ski Authority and was responsible for putting up a ski lift, which was once located at Hom Pond Mountain.
To his many nieces and nephews, some of whom lost their own parents, he was known affectionately as "Uncle Jackie," always willing to step in and act as a surrogate father or to lend a helping hand.
He was a family man, devoted to his own children and grandchildren as well as his wife Pat, of 53 years. He loved watching his grandchildren and rarely missed an activity in which one of them participated.
On a larger scale, he treated friends and relatives as his family, always keeping his doors open and welcoming them into his home.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Kevin; a brother, Paul Donohoe; and three sisters, Miriam Donahue, Carol Lumbert, and Ann Callahan.
In addition to his wife, Patricia, survivors include his seven children, Michael Donohoe and his wife, Donna, of Georgetown, Maureen Gallagher and her husband, Daniel, of Lexington, Mark Donohoe of Rockport, Marcia Donohoe of Jensen Beach, Fla., Jay Donohoe and his wife, Beth, of York, Maine, Barry Donohoe and his wife, Linda, of North Hampton, and Shawn Donohoe of Thompson, Conn.; his brothers and sisters, Eleanor Bussiere of Hampstead, Ronald Donohoe and Janet McLean, both of Woburn, Gerald Donohoe of Ipswich, James Donohoe of Homosassa, Fla., and Patricia Durkin of Northwood. He was the beloved grandfather of 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
DONOHOE - John J. "Jack" Donohoe, 74, of Rye, N.H., died Jan. 27, 2003. Visiting hours at the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn, Mass., will be held Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be held from the funeral home on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. Donations in his memory may be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, Mass. 01843.
