Br. James Donohoe

SPENCER – Br. James Joseph Donohoe, O.C.S.O. of St. Joseph's Abbey, passed away peacefully in the abbey's infirmary on the evening of March 4th after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 1940, the son of James Joseph Donohoe, Sr. and Loretta Monica (née Schauer) Donohoe. He graduated from La Salle University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After a few years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves he worked for the federal government as a civil servant and later joined the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) for one year before entering St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer on October 12, 1969 where he pronounced his solemn vows in 1981. Over his years at the monastery Br. James served faithfully as subprior, porter, filler operator and foreman at Trappist Preserves and as purchaser and maintenance coordinator at The Holy Rood Guild. In his early days at the abbey he also helped construct new dormitories for the brothers. Universally loved and admired, he read widely and was well versed in diverse and contrastive literary subjects. Moreover, he was a man of both physical and moral strength who by his lyrical grace of form could turn a game of basketball into a veritable ballet. Br. James was predeceased by his sister, Loretta Donohoe. In addition to his monastic brothers, he is survived by his remaining siblings, Maureen Davis, Ann Brophy and Gerard Donohoe as well as his lifelong friends, Richard Bates, James and Rose Conley and Fr. Michael Ryan. His monastic brothers wish to thank the lay staff at St. Joseph's Abbey infirmary and Gentiva Health Services Hospice Care for the dedicated care they gave him in his final days. With gratitude for the gift of his presence among us, the monks commend Br. James' soul to your prayers. There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Abbey on Saturday, March 12th, at 10:30 a.m., with burial following in the abbey cemetery. J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer, 508- 885-3992, is directing arrangements.