Thomas "Tom" Joseph Donaghy Sr.

With heavy hearts and deep sadness, we announce the passing of Thomas “Tom” Joseph Donaghy Sr. of Flagler Beach, Florida, who left us peacefully in his sleep on November 20, 2024. He lived a long eventful life filled with 95 years of experiences and was a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather and proud Veteran of the U.S. Army.

Tom began his life journey on October 6, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the son of the late Anna Marie (O’Dell) Donaghy and James Joseph Donaghy. He married the love of his life, Irene “Renee” Fleming on January 19, 1957.

Prior to that, Tom was a Korean War Veteran, and during his service he was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division (Medic) and 2nd Infantry Division (Rifleman). He earned the Korean Service Medal w/3 Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Medic and Combat Infantry Badges. Few veterans hold both Combat Medic and Combat Infantry Badges.

Tom worked for Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) at Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant in Delta, Pennsylvania for over 30 years. In 1963 he became a Reactor Operator at Unit 1 and received his Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Reactor Operator License in 1966. Two years later he became a Chief Operator, then a Shift Supervisor in 1970, and a Shift Superintendent of Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant Units II & III in 1974 until he retired from PECO in 1985. For a few years after that he did consultation work at nuclear power plants around the country before fully retiring and moving to Flagler Beach with his devoted wife Renee, who survives him.

Tom was smart, funny, had a great memory, told interesting stories and witty “Dad Jokes,” and loved traveling, boating, and socializing, but his favorite activity was spending time with Renee. Their devotion to each other was apparent to all who knew them and who just met them. It was very uncommon to see one without the other; they were inseparable. During their 67+ years of marriage, they traveled the world, with very few places that they did not visit. Their favorites were Hawaii, Australia, and their ancestral home of Ireland.

Boating was another passion Tom enjoyed with Renee and his family, beginning in the 1970s on the Bodkin River and the Chesapeake Bay, and continuing when they came to Florida. Tom and Renee are both charter members of the Flagler Beach Yacht Club.

Tom is survived by four children: Thomas Donaghy Jr of Flagler Beach, FL; Kathleen Donaghy of Palm Coast, FL; Sharon Kochenour of Palm Coast, FL; and Michael (Cinda) Donaghy of York, PA. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Justin, Tiffany, Caitlin, Brendan, Dylan (Danette), Daniel, and Devin; 3 great-grandchildren: Riley, Reef, Finnegan; sister Joanne and sister-in-law Carmella, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. Tom was pre-deceased by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. He will be forever missed.

A Mass will be held December 5 at 10 AM at Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church, 915 N. Central Ave, Flagler Beach. Following that, Tom will be laid to rest at 12:30 PM with full military honors at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 U.S. Highway 1, Mims. Relatives and friends are invited to attend both events, as well as an Irish Celebration of Tom’s life on December 6 at Flagler Woman’s Club,1524 S. Central Ave, Flagler Beach, from 1 PM to 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral arrangements are by Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home. Please visit Veterans Legacy Memorial for additional information about Tom’s wonderful life.