Robert "Mike" Donahue

ROTTERDAM- Robert “Mike” Donahue, 95, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in New York City on February 7, 1929, he was the son of the late Michael and Jane (McCracken) Donahue. He was a 1948 graduate of Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady. During the Korean Conflict, he proudly served with the Army’s 816th Field Artillery Unit. After his military service, he was employed until retirement, at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory where he was a Radiological Control Technician, a vital role in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. It is here where he met his future wife and love of his life Sylvia (Martini) Donahue, with whom he would spend 69 years of marriage and create a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness together. He was a kind and gentle soul who’s impact on his family and friends was immeasurable and his legacy will be the foundation for our family’s future generations.

Mike was a lifelong summer resident of his beloved Lake George and for more than 40 years, travelled to what he considered his “second home”, Aruba, with his wife, where he created lasting friendships with many of the residents that he considered his “second family”. It was here where he developed his passion for in ocean metal detecting, finding many treasures he held dear. He was also a certified SCUBA instructor and explored many underwater sights and participated in open water dive certifications. For 70 years he was a dedicated communicant and servant of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Schenectady where he was a member of their Men’s Society, the Choir, past Chairman of the Mt. Carmel Festa and Beverage Chairperson for many years.

Besides his wife Sylvia, he is survived by his daughters Kathleen (Paul) DeMilio, Patricia (Gabriel) Donahue Ciaschetti and Roberta (Robert) Belber all of Rotterdam, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren Daniel (Jenna) DeMilio of Medina, MN, Caitlin Belber of Nashville, TN and Lily (Jake) Connor of Neptune, NJ. Additionally, he was blessed with four great grandchildren Jackson, Isabella and Reese DeMilio and Theo Connor. He is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his brothers-in-law John (Jackie) Martini and Edward Vacca. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Leona and Bill Doberneck and Roberta Vacca.

Family and friends are invited to call at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home at 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, NY on Monday morning, October 28, 2024, from 8am until 10:30am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Schenectady. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery also in Schenectady.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Donohue and his staff for their years-long care and the Eddy PACE program for their recent care of our beloved Dad.

Memorial donations in Mike’s honor can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org or by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.