Peter John Donahue

DONAHUE, Peter John, age 88, of Kettering, prominent local Attorney passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2016. He was a devoted husband, dedicated father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Pete's life revolved around his family, his work and his faith. He practiced law for nearly 60 years and retired only recently at the age of 85. Pete was a humble, energetic, committed and determined individual with a strong, yet calm and supportive disposition. He put all of these qualities to use in assisting and supporting his family, friends, work associates and all of those that he met. Pete was born on May 24, 1928 in Detroit, MI. He attended St. Benedict's Catholic School in Detroit, where he was a standout football and basketball player. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 1951. After graduation, he married his wife of 64 years, Eileen. He went on to serve two years in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon completion of his service he returned to Notre Dame and earned a Law Degree in 1955. With this degree in hand he and his young family moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the United States Department of Justice as a trial attorney. He worked in the Internal Security Division and the Tax Division and tried cases in U. S. District Courts around the country. For a time he worked under Robert Kennedy. After five years in Washington he and his expanding family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he began the private practice of law. He was a partner at Smith & Schnacke and at Thompson, Hine & Flory, and ended his storied career with his colleagues and friends at Sebaly, Shillito, & Dyer, just three years ago. He was an active member of numerous clubs and associations, and he received many awards. He was an Honorary Member of the Ohio State Bar Association, an Honorary Sustaining Member of the Dayton Bar Association, Past President of the Dayton Bar Association, and a Dayton Bar Association Fellow. He served on the Dayton Bar Association Board, and for many years on numerous Bar Association committees, including the Ethics and Grievance Committee, the Fee Dispute Committee, and the Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Committee, to name a few. He also served the Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project. Pete was an active member of the Dayton Bicycle Club, Ohio Road Runners Club, the Buckeye Trail Club, and the Notre Dame Club of Dayton. He was a Charter member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, and supported both the church and school through many hours of volunteer work. In addition, he was a long-time supporter of Archbishop Alter High School. He was a passionate Notre Dame football and Duke basketball fan. He was also a loyal fan of the University of Dayton basketball team. Pete was an avid golfer, travelling to play in Scotland and Ireland. For the last 30 years he could be found on Sunday morning with his friends at his home course, NCR Country Club. Always one for exercise and fitness, he began to run consistently in the late 1970s and became an accomplished distance runner. He completed 26 marathons, including the Boston Marathon numerous times. He ran a number of local and regional events, winning first place age-group awards well into his late 70s. He is preceded in death by his parents Patrick and Marguerite Donahue; his siblings, Patricia, Kevin, and Brian; and daughter, Eileen Deborah McNeely. Pete is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Eileen Imfeld Donahue; daughter, Mary Kate (Jim) Schneble; sons, Patrick (Stephanie) Donahue, Peter John (Angela) Donahue Jr., and Mark P. (Katrina) Donahue; 15 grandchildren, Patrick (Andrea), Nicholas, Joseph, Megan (Fernando), Elizabeth (Jon), Kelly, Samantha, Pete, Tommy, Jessica, Mallory, Kelsey, Caitlin, Sean, and Ethan, 2 great-grandchildren, Henry and Benny, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends from 5:00-8:00pm on Friday, December 9, 2016 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd, Kettering. Burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429