James William Donohoe Sr.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio. Son of the late Kathleen McLaughlin (Donohoe) Renz and John Edward Donohoe. Met the love of his life, Joanne Donohoe (née Foley) at a co-ed school dance, he at the University of Detroit, and she at Marygrove College. While there, he joined the St. Francis Club, where he made lifelong friendships. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and stationed in Korea for two years. After completing his service, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Shortly after, he married Joanne and began working at General Motors, where he worked for 40-plus years. They eventually moved to Dearborn, where they lived for 40 years.

A lifelong and devoted Catholic, he raised his three children attending Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn. He and Joanne moved to Northville in 1999, where they then attended St. Kenneth’s Parish. Besides his faith, his passions were singing in his church choir, camping, world travel, researching his family ancestry, blueberry pie, all things Ireland, and having cocktail hour with his wife every night at six o’clock. He died peacefully at the age of 90 on January 27th, 2021, as his family prayed the Our Father over him. Preceded in death by his parents and his firstborn child, William Edward. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joanne; his sister, Donna (Jim) Onstott; his three children—Marilyn (Craig) Piper, James Donohoe Jr., and Kathleen (Bruce) Rylance; and his eight grandchildren—Erin (Jack) Birdsall, Delaney (Ames) Elliandi, Emily (Jason) Chapman, Madison Piper, Cameron Piper, Sarah Donohoe, William Rylance, and Mary Rylance.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angela Hospice in honor of James.

The link to watch the service on line is below. It may be copied and pasted into your web browser or you may click "Join Livestream" on the right side of the funeral mass entry below:

https://youtu.be/CZBDnmY3-m4