Laurence “Larry” Joseph Donoghue of San Antonio, Texas and Chatham Massachusetts, died peacefully at his home in San Antonio on Wednesday, January 29 at the age of 85. Born June 5, 1939 in Milton, Massachusetts as the youngest of five children to Timothy B. Donoghue and Mary Loretta (Madden) Donoghue. Larry spent his formative years in Dorchester, Massachusetts, a distinction he shared proudly throughout his life.
Larry graduated from Boston Latin School in 1961 and carried on the deep friendships he made there throughout his life through regular get-togethers with the infamous “Latin School Boys” - Mike, Dolph, Spider, Wes and Paul. In 1965 he graduated from Boston College and began a successful retail career at Jordan Marsh in Boston. He rose through the ranks, eventually moving to Texas in 1983 to lead merchandising at Joske’s and then Dillard’s, officially becoming an “honorary Texan.” He retired at 53 as the Chairman of the Dillard’s division responsible for more than 50 stores across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Retirement allowed Larry to pursue his passion for connecting with others. He actively participated in the Conopus Club of San Antonio, the Alamo Heights and Chatham Rotary Clubs, and shared his business acumen with aspiring entrepreneurs as a SCORE San Antonio volunteer. Larry embodied “never meeting a stranger” as his humor and warm, outgoing personality quickly endeared him to the new friendships he would encounter - admirable qualities that served well in business, friendships, and even during the highly competitive estate sales he loved to attend.
Larry truly embraced his role as the family Patriarch, providing insight and guidance to immediate and extended family alike. Never directive (except in his personal dealings), he challenged those seeking advice to collectively arrive at a solution. He was genuine and didn’t hide behind any veiled opinions - an enduring and refreshing quality that invited those he was surrounded by to continuously seek his counsel. The Donoghue, Gilfoil, Manley, Mesropian and MacKinnon extended families were so special to Larry and were treated as his own. His positive and encouraging attitude flourished through his relationships as well as personally combatting the health challenges he experienced.
He was a devoted husband to the love of his life, Karen Lea Donoghue, from their marriage in 1966 until her passing in 2009. They were true partners in life, raising their family of five, renovating houses, spending time together in Chatham, and traveling across the US to see their grandchildren. He lovingly devoted his life to caring for her throughout her later years.
His happiest days were being surrounded by his family in Chatham Massachusetts, sitting in his Adirondack chair with a cigar, holding court sharing stories, watching his grandchildren playing games, and looking out over Doane Road through the calming, salt air on Cape Cod. And his Jeeps! They became a staple for tooling around Chatham and the lower cape. It was his signature vehicle that all the grandkids couldn’t wait to climb in and join him on his many adventures.
Larry is survived by his wife Michele; daughter, Laurie Ciccarelli and her husband, Chris of Winter Park, Colorado; his daughter, Kelly Weaver and her husband, Derrek of San Antonio, Texas; and his son, Tom Donoghue and his wife, Marnie of Davidson, North Carolina. Larry loved and adored his eight grandchildren: Christopher, Kyle, and Calvin Ciccarelli; Liam, Trevor, and Jack Donoghue; and Laurence and Cecilia Weaver. He is also survived by his sister, Marguerite Donoghue Gilfoil; brother-in-law, George; sisters-in-laws, Nancy Donoghue and Marianne Mesropian; many nieces and nephews, and countless friends. He is predeceased by his parents; his wife, Karen; and siblings, Mary (Donoghue) Manley, Barbara (Donoghue) MacKinnon, and Dr. Timothy Donoghue.
The Family wishes to thank Melissa Ozuna, Connie Gomez and Angie Ruiz for their affectionate care and love along with his faithful team of doctors, Dr. Paul Smith, Dr. Robert Svatek, Dr. Christopher DeJesus and Dr. James Jackson and the wonderful team at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, San Antonio.
Services to be held at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 102 Lorenz, San Antonio, Texas 78209, on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Father Kevin Shanahan, officiating. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 102 Lorenz Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.
