Gilford-----Roger James Donahue, Jr., 72, of Sagamore Road, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 3, 2018.
Roger was born on March 12, 1946 in Salem, Massachusetts the son of Roger James Donahue, Sr. and Ruth (Peterson) Donahue. He spent most of his life living on the North Shore in the Beverly/Danvers area of Massachusetts. He served honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Roger, who was affectionately known to all as “Jim” was a manager for Home Depot for several years. He was also a board member and an active role model at the Piers Park Sailing Center. Jim was very active in getting both disabled veterans and children back out on the water to give them a sense of freedom that they had been missing in their lives. Sailing was his absolute passion! He began sailing in his younger days and after working for UPS for a time, he left his job to explore the country by doing sailboat deliveries and bare boat charters all over the world. Jim thoroughly enjoyed working on and restoring sailboats. He also loved baseball and spent a large amount of time volunteering with his son’s little league teams. Family was very important to him and he loved spending time with them, most especially his two children who are and have always been his proudest accomplishment. Watching his children grow and participating and supporting their efforts were a tremendous source of pride and joy for him.
Roger is survived by his daughter, Brittany Tyler Donahue; son, Brendan Eliot Donahue; grandchild, Eliot James Bowen; brother, Robert Donahue and his wife, Pamela; sister, Elizabeth Donahue and several nephews and nieces.
He will be missed tremendously by those who have grown close to him in all of his endeavors over the years, his laughter and sense of humor will always be a positive memory for many years to come for those who loved him dearly.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Church in the Cove in Beverly MA. Details can be obtained from the Church directly.
For those who wish, the family suggest that memorial donations may be to, Piers Park Sailing Center, 95 Marginal Street, Boston, MA 02128.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.