John A. Donahue

MEREDITH--John A. “Jack” Donahue shuffled off this mortal coil on May 7, 2025, while sleeping peacefully at home, surrounded by the warmth, love, and admiration of his devoted children. Jack was born on November 2, 1935, in Lynn, MA, to Sadie “Sally” (Randall) and Albert “Ab” Donohue. He grew up in the Brickyard neighborhood and graduated from St. Mary’s High School. After proudly serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, he worked as a grave digger while attending Boston College at night, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History, and finding the love of his life, Jane. He later received a Master of Arts degree from Salem State College. Jack and Jane settled in Lynn where they raised a family while he worked at GE, mainly at the Riverworks plant, for nearly 30 years. He worked 3rd shift so that, as the father of 7 children, he was able to work several other jobs during the day, sometimes working as many as 5 jobs at once in order to provide for his family. After retiring, Jack and his wife, Jane, moved to Meredith, New Hampshire, and became snowbirds by spending the winter months in Florida, but returning to NH to escape the heat of Florida summers. After Jane suffered a stroke in 2004, they relocated back to NH permanently where Jack devoted himself to being his wife’s primary caregiver until her passing in 2019. Considered the “King of Dad Jokes” by his children and grandchildren, Jack was well known for his sense of humor, his gift of playful sarcasm, and his love of making people laugh. He found a special joy in history (accuracy was very important!), genealogy (as his children, we know more about our heritage than most), writing (the clickety-clack of his typewriter was common background noise at our house), and reading (books, books, and more books everywhere!). He wrote columns for several newspapers including the Lynn Sunday Post and the Daily Evening Item. A lifelong member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Jack took on many roles, including bartender, cleaner, and historian. After moving to Meredith, he became a proud lifetime member of the American Legion and was a dedicated participant in Meredith’s POW/MIA vigil for over 30 years. Jack was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Jane (Buxton) Donahue, his daughter-in-law, Heather Donahue, his brother and sister, Richard C. Carignan and Florence (Bette) Serwacki, and their respective spouses, Louise (Matton) Carignan and Walter Serwacki. He was also predeceased by his sister-in-law, Mary Ward, and his brother-in-law, Joseph Raymond Buxton. Jack is survived by his seven children, Martina R. Green and her husband, Jessie of Virginia, Timothy A. Donahue of Meredith, Sara J. Donahue and her husband, Patrick Troy of Ashland, Barbara M. Teague and her husband, Clifford, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, John F. Donahue of Meredith, Colleen M. Ahlquist and her husband, Wayne of Meredith, and Kathleen A. Gallagher and her husband, Michael of Moultonborough; his bonus daughter, Franciene Clement of Laconia; and his sisters-in-law, Barbara A. Conrad of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Ann (Dyer) Buxton of Bedford, Massachusetts. Other survivors include 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Jack’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him. His humor, dedication, and love for his family will never be forgotten. Calling Hours will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at the Mayhew Funeral Home, 204 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 PM, Saturday, May 17, 2025, at St. Charles-Borromeo Catholic Church, 300 NH Route 25, Meredith, NH 03253. Burial will follow at Meredith Village Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, please go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.

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John A. Donahue

November 2, 1935 - May 7, 2025