Father John “Jack” Donahue — a spirited priest known for his depth of care — died June 20 at the age of 88.
June 20, the churches of St. Michael and St. Mary in Stillwater made the announcement of Father Donahue’s passing on its social media pages. Father Donahue, who was ordained a priest within the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in February 1960, served as assistant priest of St. Michael from 1960 to 1967 and returned upon his retirement to continue celebrating Masses.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Fr. Jack Donahue, our beloved priest and truly one-of-a-kind,” the announcement read, in part. “Please pray for the repose of his soul and continue to keep his family in your prayers during this time.”
The announcement prompted “an outpouring” of calls and messages into the parish office, said Joan Mellor, pastoral minister. Responses to the announcement on social media included that Father Donahue was “always there for family, friends and complete strangers,” was “a wonderful priest and a great person,” and that “his spirit and character endeared him to all who met him.”
A visitation for Father Donahue was June 25 in St. Michael’s Rose Hall. A second visitation was June 26 in the atrium at St. Michael prior to the funeral Mass. Archbishop Bernard Hebda presided at the funeral Mass. The homilist was Father John Anderson, pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Patrick parishes in New Richmond, Wisconsin, and cousin of Father Donahue. Concelebrants included Auxiliary Bishops Michael Izen and Joseph Williams, as well as Bishop Emeritus John LeVoir of New Ulm. A noon luncheon in Rose Hall followed Mass. Interment took place at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights the afternoon of June 26.
Bishop Izen, pastor of St. Michael and St. Mary from 2015 to 2023, described Father Donahue as “a very joyful man.”
“Just a very gregarious guy; when I first met him, I could not believe he was 80 years old. He acted with the energy of a 60-year-old.”
Bishop Izen recalled an early encounter with Father Donahue, who had an affinity for people’s nationalities: “As I was walking into the adoration chapel, I hear from the other end of the atrium, ‘You Lebanese prince!’” A title for Bishop Izen that Father Donahue used from then on.
In addition to his tenure at St. Michael, Father Donahue served as an assistant priest at St. Pius X in White Bear Lake from 1967 to 1968, at Blessed Sacrament in St. Paul from 1970 to 1972, and at St. Peter in North St. Paul from 1972 to 1973.
Father Donahue served as parochial administrator at St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park from 1968 to 1969 and at St. Mary of the Lake in White Bear Lake in 1972. Additionally, Father Donahue served as director of the archdiocesan Office of Vocations from 1968 to 1972. He served as a military chaplain from 1962 to 1991 and as a cruise ship chaplain from 2013 to 2014.
He served as pastor at St. Patrick in Oak Grove (1973-1981) and at Maternity of Mary in St. Paul (1981-1999). His impact at the latter led to the dedication of “Donahue Gymnasium” in 2010, named after he helped establish the combined pre-kindergarten to eighth-grade Maternity of Mary-St. Andrew School.
Maurice “Gabbi” Harnett, 69, has been a member of Maternity of Mary since 1982. When asked how he got to know Father Donahue, Harnett quipped, “It’s hard not to get to know him.”
“He had a unique ability; he was fun, he was sincere and thoughtful and kind. He made everyone feel at home,” Harnett said. “He was just full of life, and it just glowed from him.”
Father Donahue played an important role in the lives of the Harnetts. He hitchhiked in a snowstorm to be with the family while Harnett’s son, Joe, was hospitalized due to a series of strokes resulting from epilepsy. “He told me he got some weird looks along the way but … there was no one that was going to stop him to do what he felt needed to be done,” Harnett said.
Father Donahue delivered the homily during a funeral Mass for Barb, Harnett’s wife, in March 2022. “For about half an hour (Father Donahue) talked about our family and our relationship,” Harnett said, his voice cracking. “People came up to me, and they still do, saying it was the best funeral service they ever attended.”
“He was always there for my wife and I and our family,” Harnett — who has two daughters, Molly and Carey, and a son, Neal, in addition to Joe — said, his voice full of emotion.
Harnett said he and Father Donahue would play hockey at Roseville Ice Arena “over the years.” Recalling a recent lunch together in Somerset, Wisconsin, Harnett said they ran into a woman whose wedding Father Donahue officiated. “Typical Father Donahue … he knew everyone,” Harnett said.
Not only did Father Donahue know many people, he “had an unbelievable grasp for people’s names,” Harnett said, including recalling people’s names when handing them the Eucharist at Mass.
Bishop Izen, too, recalled the strength of Father Donahue’s memory. “I can remember being at coffee and doughnuts with him and he would point at an elderly couple and say, ‘I had their wedding, back in ’65.’ … He remembered people well.”
Father Donahue was “a good and generous priest,” Bishop Izen said.
Father Donahue’s care is something Harnett said he felt fortunate to witness. His family was “just one of those lucky families that had such a good relationship with him, on a personal basis.”
