Raymond W. Donahue Obituary

Raymond W. Donahue, 79, of Lynn, died peacefully Friday July 1, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous 2 ½ year battle with cancer. Born in Lynn to the late John and Rita (Babineau) Donahue, Raymond attended Lynn Schools and graduated from Lynn Trade School Class of 1962. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to Maureen (O'Connor) Donahue. Raymond lived most of his life in Lynn, spending several years living in Salem before moving back to Lynn.

Raymond worked at GE for 35 years as a sheet metal worker in the company's jet engine development shop. He spent 48 years as a dedicated football and baseball coach. He was one of the founders of the Salem Midget Football League. His team, the Packers, was the most successful in league history, winning championships in 11 of his 13 years as Head Coach of the team. He then moved into the HS coaching ranks, where he did football coaching stints at Salem HS, Hamilton-Wenham HS, North Reading HS, Lynn English HS, and Bishop Fenwick HS, before finally landing at his alma mater Lynn Tech, where he was the Offensive Coordinator for 17 years. He also coached Little League and Pony League baseball in Salem for over 10 years. He coached HS baseball at Hamilton-Wenham for a number of years, and he was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame as part of the 1988 state champion baseball team.

Raymond enjoyed his retirement of 24 years by working as a starter at Mt. Hood Golf Course. He made many friends at Mt. Hood, and he enjoyed working there tremendously. He played golf 3 or 4 times a week right up until his illness. He recorded two holes-in-one while playing at Mt. Hood.

During his retirement, Raymond spent the winters in Naples, Florida with Maureen where they enjoyed socializing in the warm weather with their countless and dear friends. Raymond was also a member of the Lynn Knights of Columbus.

Raymond and his family were particularly thankful for the wonderful medical care he was given during his battle with cancer at the MGH Danvers Cancer Center. The entire staff could not have been more caring and diligent in treating his illness.

Raymond is survived by his wife Maureen of Lynn, son Kevin Donahue and his wife Jenny of Lynn, daughter Debbie Pare of Robertsdale, AL, daughter Susan Donahue of Allston, son Thomas Donahue and his wife Donna of Bolivia, NC, his grandchildren; Sean Donahue and his wife Angela, Amanda Williams and her husband Luke, Sheila Cavanaugh, Doug Cavanaugh, his great grandson Collin Ray Donahue, his brother Bill Donahue, sister Donna Garian, sister Diane Kirby, brother Edward Donahue and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dennis Donahue.

Memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, July 10, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 PM with a family eulogy at 7:45PM at SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME 426 Broadway (Rt129) Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Raymond's name to Friends of Hathorne, PO Box A, Hathorne, MA 01937.