Mr. Thomas J. Donahue (Tom), 81, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on March 24, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina.
A gathering of family and friends will take place in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Ave., Verona, on Saturday, April 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a service at 12:30 p.m.
Tom was born and raised in Newark. He graduated from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark with the Class of 1959 and then earned a Bachelor’s degree from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1964, majoring in mechanical engineering. During his years at St. Benedict’s Prep, Tom was an outstanding multi-sport athlete, including basketball, baseball and track and field.
In 1963 he married his sweetheart, Kathleen Shaw. They lived in East Orange and Bloomfield until 1968, when they moved to Verona to raise their family. They resided in Verona until nine years ago, when they moved to Columbia, South Carolina.
Tom worked in the information technology sales field for many years at companies including IBM, Xerox and CPT. He was highly regarded for his dedication, knowledge and ability to work with and manage a variety of people throughout his long and successful professional career.
A lifelong car enthusiast, he enjoyed visiting antique car shows. He loved music of the 50s and country western music of all kinds. Tom was also an amateur guitar player. Most of all, Tom loved spending time with his family, at home or on vacation at the Jersey shore.
Tom was a lifelong member of the St. Benedict’s Prep Alumni Association and recently a member of the South Carolina Sheriff’s Association.
He was predeceased by his parents, James “Jiggs” Donahue and Margaret (nee Liebmann) Donahue and his sister, Jean Stewart.
Mr. Donahue is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Donahue; loving daughters, Elizabeth Smillie (Ralph) and Jaime Day (Brian); and cherished grandchildren, Ryan Smillie and his partner, Bill Grace, Megan Smillie, Dan Smillie and his fiancée, Natalie Wertz and Thomas Day.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Crescent Hospice, 1370 Browning Road, Suite 110, Columbia, SC 29210 would be appreciated.
Condolences may be left at www.proutfuneralhome.com.
