DONAHUE, Jerrold LCol (Ret’d)
Peacefully at home, Jerrold (Jerry) Joseph Donahue, at the age of 90 years, went to his rest in the loving
arms of God on Thursday, February 4, 2021. Beloved father of Catherine and Margaret, both of Ottawa.
Predeceased by his loving wife Claudette and sons Brian and Patrick (Michael).
Born in Fossmill, Chisholm County, Ontario on Oct 22, 1930. Son of the late Joseph Maurice and Mary
Lillian (Lafrance) Donahue. Predeceased by sister Lois Nault (George).
He will be greatly missed by many extended family and friends.
Jerry was a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Artillery for 37 years. A graduate of the
Royal Military College in Kingston in 1954. He married Claudette (Pigeau) shortly after graduation and
was immediately deployed to Korea for 6 months. During the first 17 years of marriage, Jerry was posted
19 times including 2 peacekeeping tours in Vietnam, for 1 year and 6 months respectively. Along with
several Canadian postings spanning Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Manitoba, Jerry and
family also traveled to Texas, Germany, Kansas and Washington DC, before finishing his service in
Ottawa. Following his active military career, Jerry taught a Middle Management course for 9 years on
contract to the Department of National Defence. Jerry was a very active member of the Ottawa
Gunners, serving as President for a number years. He was also a member of the Eastern Ontario
Gunners Association. Jerry was Secretary of the 30th Field Artillery Regiment Senate for 14 years. “Once a
Gunner, always a Gunner”.
Always active in sports, Jerry played softball, baseball, volleyball and hockey in his youth, and still
enjoyed golf and curling up until 2 years ago. A long time member of St. Maurice parish in Nepean, Jerry
also served a few years with the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry within the parish.
Special thanks to the staff and residents at The Ravines Senior Suites in Nepean for welcoming Jerry to
your wonderful community, to Geeta and Home Instead for your assistance prior to the pandemic, to
Lanny and Kelly at Qualicare Home Care, Dr. Susan Whitley and Dr. Matthew Roberts for all your
support, and to our contacts at the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs. A very special thank you to Barbara for being
Dad’s guardian angel on earth this last year+.
Limited visitation, according to provincial guidelines, will be available at the West Chapel of Hulse,
Playfair & McGarry, 150 Woodroffe Ave (at Richmond Road) on Saturday, February 13th, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Pursuant to current maximum attendance COVID regulations, please RSVP on LCol Donahue’s web page at www.hpmcgarry.ca. Attendees are required to wear face masks, and asked to respect and practice social distancing.
Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County or the Heart and
Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
Thursday February 4th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Jerrold Joseph Donahue Thursday February 4th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario