Obituary of Raymond L. Donohue

Newcomb: Raymond L. Donohue, 98, of Marcy Lane passed away peacefully, Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at his home. Born November 3, 1915, in North River, he was the son of the late John and Maude (Ryan) Donohue. Ray graduated from North Creek High School before attending Albany Business College. He married Dorothy A. Prescott on July 5, 1940, at St. James Roman Catholic Parish in North Creek. The couple resided in North Creek for several years before moving to Tahawus, where he was employed by National Lead Corporation (N.L. Industries); they lived there from 1947 until the town was moved to Newcomb in 1963. Ray was a true man of the Adirondacks. Growing up on the banks of the Hudson River and near Gore Mountain began his lifelong love of fishing and skiing. His teenage summers were spent marking timber for his father throughout the high peaks, where a daily walk of 20+ miles was the norm, unless he brought a fly rod along to sample one of the nearby lakes. Ray and his family were one of the early residents of Tahawus, where he continued to pursue fishing and skiing. Cheney Pond was the source of many a trout dinner at the Donohue table on Fridays, and there were many cold winter days when holes were chopped and tip-ups were set in the ice at Lake Sally. Ray was the leader in building and operating the ski tow at Tahawus, where many of the town’s residents enjoyed a hard day’s skiing. Living the Adirondack life also included living from the land. Raymond started a large vegetable garden in Tahawus, continued gardening in Newcomb, and in his later years worked with the Newcomb school children growing a school garden. Ray also had a sugar-shack in Tahawus, and many a Saturday night was spent in an all-night vigil boiling down barrels of maple sap for a few gallons of perfect syrup. Ray was also the ideal family man and father. He and Dorothy raised four boys, teaching them how to be men and imbuing them with his love of the Adirondacks. They, too, relished the fishing, skiing, and late nights at the sugar sack. At 98 years young, Raymond was declared the Patriarch of Newcomb. With his passing, the torch passes to another generation. Let it be for Ray, a remembering of his life and not his passing. Ray’s life interests centered around his family and friends. He loved vacationing in Myrtle Beach with his wife, Dorothy, friends and relatives. His love of cars and driving, he enjoyed until the end. Besides his parents, Ray was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy, of 64 years and his siblings: Helen Donohue, Norma Higgins, John Donohue and Francis Donohue. He is survived by his four sons: Michael Donohue and his wife, Valerie, of Bozeman, MT; Terrance Donohue and his wife, Merilee Marsh, of Boise, ID; Bruce Donohue of Cold Spring, NY; and John Donohue and his wife, Lysa Stewart, of Big Bear, CA; 13 grandchildren and step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Milda Burns of North River. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm, Sunday, January 4, 2014, at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Newcomb, with Father Peter Berg officiating. Friends may call on Ray’s family one hour prior, from 12-1 pm, Sunday at the church. Rite of Committal will take place in the spring in St. Therese Cemetery, Newcomb, at a time to be announced. Floral donations in Raymond’s memory may be sent to the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 112 Ski Bowl Road, North Creek, NY 12853. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Raymond’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 959 State Route 9, Queensbury, NY 12804. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.