|
Philip A. Donahue
Beloved son, brother, uncle and friend;
Philip A. Donahue passed away peacefully at home on September 17, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was the tenth of eleven children of Richard K. Donahue, who predeceased him, and Nancy L. Donahue.
Philip was born on December 25, 1968, at 10:10 pm, a date and time that he always referred to as his birthday first and foremost and then Christmas. To his family, friends, acquaintances and even strangers he was a very special Christmas gift. Although he was born with Down syndrome, what he lacked in intellectual abilities he more than made up for with his social skills and keen insight of human nature.
A room full of strangers was never an issue for Philip. He could work a room like an old politician. He greeted the women with warm smile and a compliment and the men with a firm handshake and a quip. To Philip, everyone was an equal and everyone deserved equal treatment. He was fortunate enough to have met four presidents but whether he was meeting the President of the United States or a homeless person they were equal in Philip’s world and treated in the same manner.
Philip was a fearless public speaker and could be easily goaded into saying a few words with a chant of “speech, speech, speech”. Once he began to speak, however, it was anybody’s guess as to where the talk would go and when it would end. Whoever happened to be in his immediate view, or commented from a distance, would find themselves inserted into his remarks. His go to stump speech was always the importance of loving one another and the importance of family.
He loved his family’s home in Vermont. There, without television or internet, he would help trim, or lop, saplings. He was a tenacious and indiscriminate lopper! After chores he loved to play cards or checkers with his brothers and sisters and read “Harry Potter”.
He practiced karate for many years and with hard work and persistence he achieved his black belt.
A favorite pastime was going out to breakfast on Saturday mornings with his brother Daniel where enjoyed his favorite French toast or pancakes.
Philip was educated in the Lowell Public School’s special education programs. There he met and made many lifelong friends. He went on to Greater Lowell Vocational High School where he graduated in 1991. Following graduation, he held several jobs including his very first job as a mail clerk at the James L. Cooney Insurance Agency, light maintenance at the Chelmsford Racquetball Club and as a dishwasher at his brother’s restaurant Hugh’s. It was when he started at Market Basket in the Tewksbury location (store 8) that he found his true career as a Customer Service Representative, or bagger.
At Market Basket, Philip found a welcoming workplace and a supportive employer. He was a proud Market Basket employee for 27 years. In fact, the second most important date on his calendar was June 19th which was his work anniversary date. On that date he would get his new name tag indicating another year of service at the store. Whether he was on the schedule or not, on June 19th, he would make his way to the store for his new badge. He loved his bosses, his co-workers and his customers. Often when he was out and about, he would wave to someone or say hello and when asked who he was greeting, he would reply “a good customer”. Market Basket was his second home. He couldn’t have asked for a better work family.
After work he enjoyed watching television especially the classic syndicated series like “Gilligan’s Island”, “Brady Bunch”, “M*A*S*H” and, more recently, “Law and Order”. He was also a big fan of professional wrestling, and he attended many matches both in Lowell and Boston.
In addition to his job, Philip was an active volunteer and client board representative at the Recreational Adult Resource Association (RARA) organization where he spent many happy hours dancing and laughing with his friends. He was also on the board of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) where he served as a member representative to the board. He would attend the meetings dressed in a suit coat and tie and carry a briefcase emulating his father. He was a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and he used his sincerity and winning personality to that end. He was a regular participant in the MDSC “Buddy Walk” fundraiser.
Philip was also a long-time participant in the Special Olympics where he competed in many events including the 100-yard dash, the softball throw and basketball.
Philip is survived by his sister Abigail and her husband Scott Morris of Kirkland, WA, his brother Timothy and his wife Jenni Donahue of Parkdale, OR, his brother Michael and his wife Beth Donahue of Lowell, his sister Nancy Donahue of New York, NY, his brother Richard and his wife Rosita Acosta of Portsmouth, NH, his brother Daniel Donahue of Lowell, his brother Stephen Donahue and his life partner Meg McGovern of Burlington, VT, his brother Christopher Donahue of Vero Beach, FL , his sister Tara and husband Jorge Gabriel of Tyngsboro, MA and his sister Alicia Donahue of Dunstable, MA.
He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews – Devon and his wife Brie Morris, Lily Morris, Kyle Donahue, Sara Donahue, Errin Donahue and her husband Brendan Rainer, George and his wife Kathryn Eng, Dylan and his wife Nikole Donahue, Allison Donahue, Kaitlin Donahue, Amy Donahue, Ian Donahue, Mia Donahue, Haleigh Donahue, Liam Donahue, Augusto Gabriel, and Isabel Gabriel as well as his grandnephews Quentin and Charles Donahue.
He is also survived by a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was predeceased by Otilia Castro who lived with the family for many years and who was completely devoted to Philip.
His family would like to acknowledge and thank Lisa Kraus, Abena Fowaa and Magda Siotas for their very loving care of Philip as well as Arlene Mullin his hospice nurse.
Philip’s Visitation will be held on Friday September 27, 2024 at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH 144 East Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA from 4 to 7 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass which will be celebrated Saturday morning September 28, 2024 at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH at 11 o’clock. Private committal services will be held for the family at a later date. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. For those so willing, donations can be made in his memory to the Recreational Adult Resource Association (RARA), 295 High Street, Lowell, MA 01852 or the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC), 20 Burlington Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01803. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME – LOWELL – MA – (978) 458-8768.
|
Obituaries Notices 
