Jack Donohue's 90th Birthday

Hi all,

 

We have created this GoFundMe on behalf of our dad, Jack Donohue. Jack turned 90 on April 12, 2024! As we celebrate him and his milestone birthday, we are hoping to ease some of his financial burden due to his increasing healthcare expenses. As you may know, Jack suffered a heart attack and stroke in February of 2006. This left him weak on his left side. After some time in the hospital and a rehab facility, he was able to return to work as a professor and administrator at Iona College where he continued to work for many years. He retired in 2015 at the age of 81. Jack lives alone but requires in-home caregivers to tend to him on a daily basis as he has been confined to his bed now for many years. Unfortunately, this care is not covered by his health insurance, so we are paying out of pocket. We want to make sure he continues to get the care he needs, so we are asking for help.

 

Jack has lived his life in service and as a lifelong educator. As a student at Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen, NJ, run by The Brothers of the Sacred Heart, he saw firsthand the values and focus on education that The Brothers cherished and decided to join the order after graduation. As Brother Paul, he dedicated his spirit, time, and energies to education. At Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, Louisiana, he taught and coached multiple sports. He has been beloved by his many students and athletes — as evidenced by the class of 1967 who asked Jack (Brother Paul) to come down to Houma as their honored guest at their 50th reunion in 2017. We were thrilled that we could make that honor a reality, and he enjoyed many days reminiscing treasured memories with his former students.

 

After almost 20 years as a Catholic Brother, he decided to leave the religious order and moved back to his hometown of DA BRONX. Securing a job as a math teacher at Mount Vernon High School in 1969, Jack was soon introduced to a fellow new teacher, Betty Flynn. They hit it off right away, and after about a year of dating, they got married. The rest, as they say, is history! They raised 4 kids in Mount Vernon and were involved in many aspects of the community.

 

Jack taught at MVHS for 25 years and Iona College for 20 years. He has touched the lives of countless students (and fellow faculty and staff). We have all had impactful teachers who forever hold a special place in our minds and hearts — without a doubt, Jack (Brother Paul) is one of those special teachers for so many people.    

 

With the deepest love and respect for our amazing father, we ask that you give any amount you can to help make things a bit more comfortable for him as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

 

Much love,

The Donohue “kids” — Kerry, Tara, Sean and Heather

His expenses include: