Heather Ferguson
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you, Peter. I miss you.
Peter R. Donahue
Birth date: Aug 30, 1952 Death date: Jan 14, 2015
Birth date: Aug 30, 1952 Death date: Jan 14, 2015
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of you, Peter. I miss you.
Dear Kathy, Barbara and family,I am so sorry to hear the news of your beloved Peter. I send my thoughts and prayers your way.Sincerely,Geri Ritchie
Peter was my cousin. His mother Barbara and my dad were siblings. My dad and Frank started out in business together and our lives in New Paltz were close. Kathie came along in Dec, followed by me in Feb. and then Peter just 18 months later. Karen was a bit further behind. As all the tributes say, he was the warmest, funniest and most lovable of guys, not to mention handsome!I was lucky to have visited him in Calf in the 1970's and he hosted two friends of mine also. Driving from Oregon I had told my friends we were staying with my cousin, meanwhile I had told Peter I was bringing two friends. When Peter opened the door he cried "Joan-ie!" and she cried "Peter!" and they fell into each others arms….old friends from New Paltz. Isn't that just like him? He, of course, was a great host.His joyful life filled so many of us with laughter and fun. He is deeply missed.Love, Molly Reid
Peter Donahue was one of the most Sincere and genuine persons i ever met, I always was proud that i was related to him. I like to tell people when i took my confirmation name (Peter) it had nothing to do with the guy in the bible, but it was because of Peter my favorite cousin. I was so glad I got to take My Daughter Shannon out to California for her 16th birthday a few years ago. We went to visit My brother Paul, but we stayed at Peter's House. In that time she got to experience all the stuff that I knew first hand. Kindness, Generosity that came natural to him. He would sometimes call her by the wrong name. (call her Megan my wife's name) typical Peter. He Gave her a nick Name "Sushi Queen" Shannon loved the Sushi restaurants that we would walk to by Pete's house. Pete made her feel special. For me, every morning we walk for coffee. He seemed to know everyone and you could tell people had genuine affection for him. We sit around coffee shops and talk about life. Pete allowed you to be yourself and that's all you can ask for. My son was also able to get a Nick Name from Pete. "Darts" a Few summers back we went to Loon lake and Brian was up early throwing Darts at the dart Board. Of coarse he kept hitting the wall that Peter was sleeping Behind. Once again Pete being Pete found a way to get humor about something that may have annoyed the average person. Loon Lake won't be the same without Peter. Barbra, Kathy ,and Karen you were lucky to have him as a Son, a Brother. sorry for your lost.I will miss him very much. love ya Pete.Thomas Peter Donahue
To Family and Friends, so sorry for your loss. the Bible offers the best comfort at this time at "John 5:28,29 " & " Job 14: 14,15" . If you would like to know more , go to Jw.org
Peter was more than my cousin or uncle for that matter, he was my second father. While dad raised me to be a man, Pete raised me to be a true human being. The sincerity he had for others was as honest and genuine as his heart. He never once put himself above the friends and family that meant so much to him. This selflessness could be seen through his beaming smile as he waived to you passing by on Piedmont Ave. or heard through his cheerful laugh that warmed those around him. My time with Pete taught me to be a passionate, sensitive, and understanding human being full of that endless curiosity many of us knew him for. And of course, who couldn't forget his humor.The day we became special buddies happened over an Oakland A's game of course. Dad was going to meet us at the stadium so you picked me up for the afternoon. We bought sandwiches from your favorite local, overpriced Piedmont grocery as that and Starbucks double-shots became our game day tradition. Anyways, you bought me a baseball and a pen to hunt down autographs. After returning with a Miguel Tejada autograph you shouted,"I can't believe you got Tejada's autograph! Wow-eee!" It was like you were the kid full of all the excitement. We proceeded to enjoy many more ballgames after that. The other that darts out was the night at the Rivercats game in Hudson Valley. Again, you selflessly bought me a hate and we laughed uproariously at the Raccoon Ladies and their mascots. Too bad we couldn't score those dates. I know I'm also rambling, but I'm grateful for all the memories and its my duty to treat the next generation of Donahue's the way you treated all of us as kids. Like Dad said, you're probably up there with other Donahues teasing us down here for missing you so damn much. So I'll live the way you wanted me to and when the time comes we'll catch another game together. Til then, thank you Uncle Pete.
Paul… that is a lovely tribute to Peter. I am so glad I was able to spend time with Peter a few years ago. Such a kind and thoughtful man. We are lucky he was our cousin. With him in the world what a wonderful world for us indeed. I like to think Uncle Frank, Aunt Betty, your dad and mine were all there to greet him at the pearly gates. Frank humming. And Peter smiling. Take care of yourself and remember all the amazing friendship you had. Julie Donahue
Peter Donahue was such an amazing person and I am so grateful to have had him in my life. I always felt like we had a special relationship…but I realize that he had a special relationship with everyone he knew. He was just that kind of guy. He was the kindest, friendliest, most genuine, and of course funniest people I have every known. He was a great story teller…I always loved listening to his stories. I remember when I met "Cousin" Peter for the first time. My mom had offered for my sister and I to go with Peter to Loon Lake for the week because she had to work. She would meet us there on the weekend. Although we were a little nervous going with someone we had never met…we were not going to pass up the opportunity to go to Loon Lake. When we got on the Thruway and Peter said…"Ok, we have something very important to discuss" he proceeded to say "who is going to be in charge of the cash and who is going to be in charge of the credit cards". I think from that moment I knew we were in good hands. Thank you Peter for bringing so much joy, love, and laughter into so many peoples lives. You will be missed tremendously. Rest in peace. Love Kelly
There was just nobody like him in my life and nobody will replace him. I have been in denial and paralysis since the news of his passing came out. I had been dreading the services yesterday. But it was wonderful. Many thanks to his sisters Karen and Kathy and Kathy' s husband Jeff (promoted to brother); you carried out his wishes wonderfully. It fit his "way." Thanks to Pastor Lucy for her eloquent and heartfelt service; there is a difference when done for a friend which so came across. Those of you who attended, both the ones I met yesterday and those of you I hadn't seen in years; thank you for coming and sharing. What a cross section of people in his life! Tears, smiles and laughter all abounded. At the same time I learned many things about Pete I never knew before. Kind and thoughtful to and interested in all those he encountered; yes, I knew all that. But not in the abundance I heard about yesterday. I guess I could relate more stories and memories. But only one and the only time I really teared up badly yesterday. Years ago at a Giants game (years ago he was Giants fan and converted me into being one; then he switched to his A's; see, we had our differences). Anyway, "What a wonderful world" played between innings and it was the first time our hearing it together and well, how got to talking how it moved us. And we got to agreeing how this would be a "must play" at our own funerals. I mean 2 guys in their early 30's talking about music for their own funerals (in between our arguing over which Clark was better, Jack (his choice and his leaving led to the A's switch, I think) or Will (mine). And then yesterday "What a Wonderful World" played in that medley during the service; goodbye composure.My deepest sympathy to all his family members and especially Karen, Kathy and Jeff who cared for him those last weeks; I am just one of those family members. Pete meant as much to you all as he did to me. And the same for all his so many friends. We all lost something and we sympathize with each other, but we are just all better off that we had him in our life at all. Aunt Barbara; I know things have been tough for you of late, but I want to sure I express my special condolences to you. You raised a wonderful son; what he meant to all of us came from you and was yours and Frank's gift to us. And it was you, Barbara, who invited me to spend Easter week in New Paltz oh so many years ago when Pete and I really hit it off for the first time. When Dad picked me up, I didn't want to leave and cried on the way back to Newburgh. A year later, we moved to New Paltz and well, the friendship fell into place. But that Easter week… means so much now; thank you Barbara. I'm rambling and saying more than I planned to. Pete's "curiousity" about spirituality was mentioned a few times yesterday. We are all curious, I suppose, but I can attest he truly was. I am hoping he got his answers; nobody is more deserving. I picture his dad Frank and my own sharing a few laughs and stories watching me clumsily type this. Goodbye my friend and cousin. Paul Donahue
Pete is the tall guy in the back row, center. He is not Eddie Yanchitis.