James A. Donohue

James A. Donohue of Holbrook passed away on January 9, 2026 at the age of 91. Jim was the beloved husband of Jean (Pasquale) Donohue: loving father of Kathi Gariepy and her husband Rick, Michael Donohue and his wife Jean, and stepfather of Robert McKenna and is wife Kelley, Kevin McKenna and his wife Heather, and Lori McKenna; cherished grandfather of Gerard (Aimee) Gariepy, Molly and Thomas McKenna, Kelsey, and Jacqueline McKenna; and dear brother of Dorothy McPhadden and the late Frank Donohue.

Jim was born in Dorchester, graduated from Boston Technical High School and entered the Navy, serving during the Korean War. After serving in the Navy Jim received a degree in engineering from Northeastern University. He went on to work as an Electronic Test Engineer at Raytheon and General Dynamics. While at General Dynamics at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Jim was in command of testing the radar and sonar on the nuclear submarines. Later in his career, Jim was the go-to person for the Goliath Crane, at one time, the largest crane in the Western Hemisphere.

Jim was a man of many talents from model building to drawing to painting. He participated in many art shows throughout the South Shore painting primarily ships and ocean views.

He enjoyed coaching Marshfield Youth Baseball and Hockey for many years. He taught hundreds of boys not only the skills necessary to excel in each sport, but also about good sportsmanship and fair play. Which in his mind was the most important part of any game.

Golf was always a passion; Jim figured any day on the links was a great way to spend a morning. The earlier, the better. He was part of many a golf league for most of his life.

A lifelong Boston sports fan he rooted for all of the local teams, but the Red Sox held a special place in his heart. He watched or listened to every single Red Sox game often quizzing family members and friends about different plays and who was being traded.

Jim was also an avid reader of history, primarily the Civil War. He was delighted to travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and retrace the battle, walking up to the top of Little Round Top last year at the age of 90. Jim truly enjoyed traveling. Trips to the Cape, and the wonderful times in Newport and the trip to Italy with Jean, her children and grandchildren were some of his greatest joys.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday January 16, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church, 40 Canal Street in Marshfield. Burial will be in the Couch Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund, online at: https://www.jimmyfund.org/

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com