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Edward J. Donahue - 86

Orland Park

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

Clarence the Angel, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Edward John Donahue was a man of profound principle, generosity, humor, integrity, and faith. He married the love of his life, Ann nee Lupo, on a 90°day in early May 1959, with whom he raised their four beloved children, Timothy, Daniel, David and Sharon. With a natural curiosity and a love of science, he worked 22 years at Argonne National Lab as an Electrical Engineer.

Ed loved to learn and was known to spend afternoons reading the dictionary and teaching himself German and Latin. He found joy in the little things: strong beer, live jazz, good jokes and traveling around the country in his pop-up camper.

Grandfather to 8, Ed was his grandkids’ #1 fan. From eating all the marshmallows they burnt in the campfire to showing them slides of his travels to letting them win in ping pong, Grandpa Donahue exemplified how to live a life of true joy, a life defined by unconditional love for his family.

His favorite movie was Frank Capra’s 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life, quoted above, a piece marked by a simple yet profound message: No man is a failure who has friends. Ed was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather and fierce friend. He lived a wonderful life and will be missed by all who knew him.  

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