Yesterday, Nov. 20th a few of us had gathered together at the cemetery to offer up some  prayers of thanksgiving for our beloved Father Donohoe on the one month anniversary of his passing. We were Blessed to have Father John Peter of St. Bernadett's Church who led us in prayer and in praying the Chaplet of  Divine Mercy. He then asked each of us  there if we would like to say a few words on what made Father special to us personally and how he stood out as a Priest and as a Friend. It has always been rewarding for me to listen to other people talk about Father and all that he had done not just for them but also for their family and friends. It's hard to believe that it has already been a month since Father passed away. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were sitting around and praying the Rosary with Father. It has been comforting to know that even though Father is gone, we now have another Saint in Heaven praying for all of us here on Earth.

Years ago as Father and I were sitting around watching the Giants, and if I recall correctly, the announcers were focusing on certain years in the Giants long history. Father seized on the opportunity to ask me a question, Albert do you know what very important event happened in 1950 ? I knew exactly the answer that Father was looking for, but I hesitated for a few seconds and gave him a different answer. Wasn't that the year that the Church proclaimed the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Father answered me by saying, well, uh, uh, yes that too. My resonpes was, was there something else of importance that year, and he  quickly said Yes. I finally answered him with, wasn't that the year of your ordination ?  And even though Father had a big smile on his face he was very humbled when he said Yes. I then proceeded to ask him, " which came first, the proclaiming of the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary or your ordinanation". Once again with a big smile on his face Father answered, my ordinanation which happened in June and the Assumption we celebrate in August. All of us who have known Father for what ever amount of time it may be, 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 years, we have all benefited from that special long ago day, June 18th 1950 , when he was ordained into the Priesthood. We have alot of good priest in the diocese of Stockton, but for all those who knew him, there will never be another Father Donohoe. A true servant of God who Loved being a Priest everyday of his priesthood. Thanks be to God for the many Blessings we have all received by having Father in our lives as a Priest and as a true Friend.

One day Father asked me if I could bring him to Saturday night Mass and I was quick to say YESSSS, I would Love too. From that first Saturday night that we attended Mass together, almost 5 more years would pass. And in those 5 years, except for when I would take him to Christmas and Easter Day Mass and when he would spend a few days visiting his family in Berkeley, not once did Father ever miss going to Saturday night Mass, NOT ONCE !! But even when he was visiting family in Berkeley, Father would let me know that he would attend Mass at the Newman Center. Our Saturday night Mass would start with an hour of praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament which was always placed on the Altar Table for an hour before the start of Mass. Father would sit towards the front of the Church and start praying the Rosary. Most of the time that would not last long because people would sit next to him and ask him if he would listen to their Confession, which he was always more than happy to do. If the lines would start to get to long in the back of the Church for Confessions, Father would get up from his seat and proceed to walk to the empty Confessional to help either Father Gus or Father Ryan hear Confessions. As the years went by it got harder and harder  for Father to get up and walk, but He   Faithfully would still get up and listen to Confessions almost every week. Father loved celebrating the Mass and all the Sacraments that the Church gave us. Not only did Father Loved being a Priest to all, but by the end of the day was truely considered a friend by all.

About six years ago I was asked to lead a rosary before a funeral mass at St. Michael's, which Msgr. Donohoe was celebrating.  As I began the rosary I heard Msgr. Donohoe behind me, praying the responses.  As I finished the rosary and turned to leave the altar, there was Fr. Ed getting off his knees!  Despite being in his mid-eighties, ascending the stairs to the altar with difficulty, and accepting assistance with his vestments before mass, he had knelt for the entire rosary to, as he put it, "show support for the rosary".  As he aged over the years, I watched him continue to pour himself out in service to God and his people.  He was a selfless man, very loving and always approachable, and his example made me desire to serve and love God better.  He is one of the saints I celebrate today on this feast of All Saint's Day!

What a great loss. Our Condolences to the family, whom he greatly loved. Rest in peace father. You are greatly missed. John McCormick and the Irish Tenors are on my music playlist because of you. I wish they play when Irish Eyes are Smiling, just for you.

A true servant of God and a true Friend for Life to all those who would come to know and Love him. Father Donohoe never hesitated to drop anything and everything to go and minister to those in need. When I made that call to Father back on Dec. 18th 2003, I asked him if he could drop by and maybe say a little prayer for my dying Father who would not make it thru the night. Father was at the house in less than 10 minutes. I told him that my Father wasn't Catholic and that I didn't know if my Father had ever been baptized. He told me not to worry and that he would administer to him a conditional baptisim, in which did. He anointed him with oil, gave him Holy Communion and showered him with non stop prayers. All this he did with so much compassion and Love. My Father would pass away a few hours later, but by just having Father there and him administering the Sacraments to my Father gave me so much comfort during his passing. I have truely been Blessed to have had Father in my life for these many, many years. Father will always have a place in my heart as a true and Loving Friend. Rest in peace my friend and if God willing, we shall meet again ❤

Father Donohoe meant so much to our family and was a big part of our life and at the church.  He will be truly missed.  Thank you for being there in my father's passing, You helped me get through the worst thing that ever happened to me.  Thank you.  To your family and friends, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.  A truly wonderful man.  He is now watching over all of us. We were all blessed to have him in our lives.

Today you have said a final farewell to Fr Eddie with fitting words of tribute.we have stood at his birthplace in Gortermone from afar and let the memories of yesterday form and permeate our goodbyes in prayer silence and grief.we now realise the significance of his life and the time of his first departure to a better shore where he would share with you who have spoken so highly making us so proud of his priestly life among you.Thank you for sharing and bringing us a chapter that we would not certainly hear as he was a man of few words.We know that he said his goodbye sometime ago

Please accept my condolences. I am so sorry for your family's loss. Only God can fully understand the emotional impact of your loss, and I pray that He provide you with much needed comfort.

Father was a kind and gentle man, that was so good to everyone. Our family will miss him tremendously. He was always always there for us with his wisdom and prayers.
He was our friend as well and we will miss his frequent visits. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Sincerely, Skip and Lynda Chelotti

Please accept our condolences. We are so sorry for your family's loss. Only God can fully understand the emotional impact of your loss, and we pray that He provide you with much needed comfort. (Psalm 145:18, 19)

Our family would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Donohoe Family. I would also like to thank the Donohoe Family for the gift of Monsignor Donohoe. He truly was God sent and embodied all of the priestly qualities.  Some that come to mind was his love for the Catholic Church, kindness, integrity, empathy, approachableness, sense of humor, and most of all his virtue of humility which truly resonated with him.  He realized ministry is about caring for us and that he did so well.  Monsignor Donohoe was always there for us through our good and sad times and I will cherish them always.

My deepest regards,

Deanna

Fr. Eddie was a great uncle, a great priest and a great man.He always looked out for my family in Ireland and here in Slidell, LA.I will miss our football conversations and all his wonderful advice.

'the battle of life over - our Legion may reassemble without the loss of any one, in the Kingdom of your love and glory.' May the souls of our departed legionary Msgr Donohoe through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Fr Eddie,
We will miss you dearly. You have been such an important part of our lives. We will miss your frequent phone calls,words of wisdom, kindness and understanding. It has been an honour since the day you concelebrated my marriage to your nephew Michael to have had you in my life. I know you are  at peace and God will be happy to have you at his side. Until we meet again . Love Marie

Msgr. Donohoe was, to me, the epitome of an ideal priest--humble, kind, loving and caring to all.  He was a huge supporter of the Diocesan Community of Caring Program, generously giving his time and resources.  He was also a friend.  He would call and say, "Nancy, I think it's time for spiritual re-awakening."  That was his code for "Let's get together for lunch at the Waterloo."  He'd ask me to invite my co-workers at the diocese.  We would laugh all through lunch and then he would always pick up the tab.  He said it was his way of supporting our work!  Father Donohoe was a blessing in my life and he will be missed.

Father Donohoe was the kindest and most humble person we've ever met. His prayer and assurance helped our family to a successful outcome of a very dark period in our lives. He will forever hold a special place in our hearts. 
                      The DaValle Family

The Legion of Mary in the Stockton Comitium joined in the many faithful whose lives Monsignor Edward Donohoe had touched and impacted by his kindness, gentleness, caring, loving & understanding, a true disciple indeed. You expressed your fealty directing the Legion of Mary in number of years until you were physically able.  We are blessed and thank God for sharing your spiritual wisdom, We love you.

Monsignor Donohoe, was a influential being with his guidance that was preeminent in our lives.  He was caring, comforting, compassionate, dedicated, kind and reverent. Though my confirmation, 5 baptisms of our children, the guidance though the years, the informative lunch-ins, his little laugh with that snort, he will be celebrated for years to come!  The Lord has given us one of his true spiritual beings, we have been blessed.

Father Donohoe, in my experience, was loved by all. He showed me that God was gentle, kind, loving, and understanding. As a perk for being altar boys, I can recall two times that he took us Angels Camp/ Murphys youngsters to Giants games. I was left with the strong impression that not only was he a Giants baseball fan but that he had inside knowledge that the Almighty was too.

One in a while God sends us a man like you to light the way

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

We in Ireland and in particular Gortermone Leitrim join with you in saying farewell to Fr Eddie.we walk in his Irish home with many memories and share them with each other in grief and a strong sense of appreciation for a long and dedicated life of mission.Today we celebrate Mission Sunday and  that of all of 66 years he left for a new home and people where he brought the Faith that had so shaped the life of his wonderful parents and their family.In this rural setting of interconnected farms and a gentle landscape divided by  blackthorn ditches his life was formed by the clicking clock and the happy environment of home cooking and early rising.He would bring this natural charm and easy lifestyle with him through his College years at St Johns Waterford and his new Diocese.His return visits home were shared with our growing up years and times of wonderful memories that we now cherish.with love and tears.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Monsignor Edward Donohoe

20 février 1925 – 20 octobre 2016

DeYoung Memorial Chapel

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