Thomas Franklin Donahue

Thomas Franklin Donahue, age 63, of Gurnee, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at Northwestern Hospital – Lake Forest after developing complications from a recent diagnosis with leukemia.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 29th from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the memorial service at 1:15 P.M. at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N. Cemetery Rd in Gurnee, IL. Interment to be private.

Tom was born on March 31, 1962, in Chicago, IL to Franklin and Johanna (nee Bonazza) Donahue. He graduated from Buffalo Grove High School in 1980. He always knew he was going to be an architect. He was told by a counselor in high school that being an architect was not a good career choice for him. Thankfully, ignored that advice. He earned an Associate Degree from Southern Illinois University before completing his Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Architecture Degrees at Iowa State University. He founded his own architecture business, Donahue Design PC. He was an accomplished architect of luxury homes, predominantly in the North Shore area. He made his TV debut on PBS as a young architect, and one of his more recent designs was featured in an episode of Point of View: A Designer Profile (HBOMax 2021) highlighting a collaboration with an interior design colleague. He received many awards recognizing his home designs, among them was the Alan F Bombick Award for Excellence in Design (2022). His designs were also featured in Luxe Magazine (2023). He was well respected among the area builders with whom he worked.

Tom loved his family and traveling. Before the kids were born he and Jana enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Mexico and cruising the Caribbean. As a family they traveled through 44 states on summer road trips, including those along the famous Route 66. His daughter, Caileigh, shared his love of design and together they would discuss how to improve the family home. He was proud of her in so many ways, including her multiple qualifications for State in dance and her recent high school graduation with honors. Jake and his dad enjoyed late night drives in the Jeep listening to Cat Stevens. Jake made him proud by earning his black belt in TKD along with other athletic accomplishments in qualifying for State in track and playing Varsity lacrosse. When the kids were young the whole family, including the dogs, would pile into the car to find the best lit houses during Christmas time. The kids grew up, but they never outgrew the tradition of finding the luminaries neighborhood after a delicious meal at Lino’s with ice cream treats to follow.

Tom had many dogs over the years, and while Sophie was the sweetest dog there ever was, Bogart, Piper, Niko and Scout were loved, as well. Tom spent hours at the dog beach with Sophie and Bogart. He enjoyed taking Piper and Niko for walks around the neighborhood. Scout was the lucky recipient of Tom’s favorite snack, popcorn.

Tom was a member of the Lake County Jeep Club, which he joined after giving up his Harley. He always enjoyed a good road trip whether it was around the area or across the country. He often included the family in events such as Jeeps on the Run for Toys for Tots or a morning coffee meet up.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jana (nee Richardson); daughter Caileigh and son Jake; mother Johanna Donahue; sisters Suzanne (Karl) Langhammer, and Carolyn (Dan) Fitzgerald; best friend Joe Lilly; and family dogs, Niko and Scout.

He was preceded in death by his father, Franklin; grandparents, Florence and Mario Bonazza; grandparents, Lillian and Jeremiah Donahue.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory to your local dog rescue group or food pantry would be appreciated.