Obituary of Reverend Patrick W. Donohue

After a long and valiant battle with cancer, Reverend Patrick W. Donohue succumbed to his illness on July 12, 2023. Born in Nyack, NY and raised in Ridgewood, NJ the oldest of six, Fr. Patrick Donohue felt a call to the priesthood at an early age. Ordained by the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ in 1975, Fr. Pat began his long pastoral career at St. Bridget's Church in Newark. Fr Pat's ministry was enhanced by his keen ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Parishioners looked forward to his gift to connect the Gospel with every day experiences. Most recently, Fr Pat lived in residence at St. Mary's Church in Dumont where he previously served as temporary administrator in 2015. Fr Pat's other assignments included St. Mary of the Assumption, Elizabeth; Holy Trinity (Administrator), Hackensack; Our Lady Queen of Peace (Administrator), Maywood; Sacred Heart (Pastor), Vailsburg; Our Lady of Grace, Hoboken and St. Bridget's (Pastor), Newark. Additionally, Fr Pat was the Dean of Bergen South Central and Essex Vicariate. He was the director of the Field Education Program at Immaculate Conception Seminary in South Orange, he led the Indian and Negro mission for the Archdiocese and at one time he ran the food assistance program for the entire city of Newark. Fr Pat felt privileged to serve a diversity of communities, which provided him a great sense of community as he experienced the multi-racial and multi-ethnic cultures, languages, traditions and cuisines within Bergen, Hudson and Essex Counties. Fr. Pat has been a 32-year Chaplain to the Newark St. Patrick's Day Parade and was Deputy Grand Marshal in 2015. He was an active participant in the Bergen Irish community and proudly served in numerous chaplaincy roles for Irish organizations in both Essex and Bergen Counties. Fr Pat also was also a longstanding Rotarian as a member of both the Newark and Hackensack Rotary Clubs. In June 2000, on the 25th anniversary of his ordination, Fr Pat wrote: "No matter what title I may have, or where I have been, I basically have done the same things. I pray, read, reflect, write, preach, visit homes and hospitals, teach, listen, love and care, and I have received that hundred-fold that the Lord promises. Thanks for being a part of that gift." Fr. Pat was predeceased by his parents, William A. and Alicia Kane Donohue of Ridgewood, and his nephew AJ Donohue of Brunswick Ga. He is survived by siblings: Teresa M Donohue, CSJP, John Donohue (Lorraine) of Jekyll Island, GA, Bill Donohue (Terrilyn) of Flowery Branch, GA, Maureen Donohue (Thomas McNabola) of Bernardsville, NJ and Alicia Cannon (Roy) of South Brunswick, NJ. Uncle Pat was dearly loved by five nieces and two nephews as well as six great nephews and one great niece. Visitation will be on Sunday July 16th at St. Mary's Church, 280 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ beginning at 2pm with a Reception of the Body and concluding with Evening Prayer at 7pm; and Monday from 9:30 - 10:30am. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30am at St. Mary's Church followed by burial at Maryrest cemetery, Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, a donation to St. Mary's Church, 280 Washington Avenue, Dumont, NJ 07628 or The AJ Donohue Foundation, PO Box 1083, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 may be made in Fr. Pat's name. The funeral will be live-streamed. Go to YouTube - search St. Mary's Dumont. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7NxECIobJtklmwXnT_iPbw Arrangements conducted by G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Service, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, NJ. To send condolences, get directions or for further information visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com