November 10, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  John J. Donoghue Jr., 82, N. Indiana Avenue, passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 10, at Samaritan Medical Center where he had been a patient since Oct. 29.

Calling hours will be held 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc, Watertown. A prayer service will be 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the funeral home followed by the 11 a.m. funeral Mass celebrated at Holy Family Church with Rev. Steven Murray, pastor, officiating. Entombment will be in Glenwood Mausoleum.

Born Jan. 3, 1930, in Watertown, a son of John J. and Alice Delaney Donoghue, he graduated in 1947 from Immaculate Heart Academy and had attended Villanova.

He married Jean Kelly on June 6, 1953, at Holy Family Church with her uncle, Rev. Donald Kelly, officiating. Mrs. Donoghue, a long-time nurse, died Oct. 22, 2009.

He had worked briefly for Stebbins Engineering prior to attending Villanova and then for New York Air Brake. In 1950 he began his career with the City of Watertown in the Engineering Dept., becoming senior engineer in 1962. He then transferred to the Water Dept. and in December of 1966 he was named superintendent of the Water and Electric Dept., a position he held until his retirement in 1983.

John was a licensed New York state land surveyor. 

He was a communicant of Holy Family Church and a life member of the Watertown Elks Lodge #496. 

He enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing, and vegetable gardening. He was an avid sports fan, attending many of his grandchildren's sporting events and especially loved the NY Yankees.

Surviving are his five children, Eileen D. Decent, Watertown, Jack Donoghue, Canandaigua, Michael J. and wife, Kelly, Donoghue, Summerville, S.C., Patrick J. Donoghue, Fayetteville, and Nancy D. and husband, Stephen D., Laverty, Watertown; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a brother and his wife, Richard P. and Maureen Donoghue, Dexter and Fla.; a sister, Ann D. Conley, Clinton; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Besides his wife, Jean, he was predeceased by his grandson, Robert T. Decent, Jr., who died in infancy.

Since 1977, with his first open heart surgery, he mystified his doctors for 35 years with his resiliency and rebounded from many serious illnesses. The family would like to thank Samantha and Dora for their exceptional care and kindness in his final months.

Donations in his name may be made to either Immaculate Heart Central School Scholarship Fund, 1316 Ives St. or Holy Family Church, 129 Winthrop St., both in Watertown, NY 13601.

Condolences to the family may be made at CummingsFuneral.com. 

Information provided by Cummings Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown