ROCKLAND — Joseph D. Donahue, 85, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2022, at the Sussman House in Rockport, Maine, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and his children, Mark Donahue and Laurie Fulton (Mark) and two grandsons, Tripp and Danny Fulton. He is also survived by his loving sister, Darrylle Curran.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he attended Braintree High School, went on to graduate from The University of New Hampshire with a business degree, and through ROTC, joined the Army, becoming a helicopter pilot.

When his service ended, he landed his first job at Sikorsky Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut. He then went on to join Datacard Corporation out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, becoming Vice President of Federal Systems. At Datacard, Joe spearheaded the implementation of the US Treasury Paper Check Conversion Program. In 1987, Joe started his own company, J.D. Donahue and Associates, in Annapolis, Maryland. He specialized as a government contractor for the Department of Defense and held a contract with the Department of Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) for over 20 years. J.D. Donahue and Associates provided and serviced the check disbursement and financial payment systems throughout the US government. Joe was forever proud of this accomplishment.

When not at work, you’d most likely find Joe someplace associated with his love of the water. He was a longtime member of the Annapolis, Camden and Crossroads Yacht clubs. He regularly putted out the Severn River and into Ego Alley for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s with his friends. This landed him on the covers of Soundings and Chesapeake Magazine as well as on Good Morning America. Once retired, he and Cynthia cruised the east coast, living on their down east boat in various ports in Maine as well as in Stuart, Florida.

Joe was one of a kind. He was a commanding presence, a force of nature and while exuding love, strength, generosity, and laughter, he always persevered. Just the mention of his name brings a smile to peoples’ faces
and usually a great story to tell. He will greatly be missed.

There will be a celebration of Joe’s life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel of Towers Organization (T2T.org).

Memories and stories may be shared on Joe’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland, ME 04841.