Joseph Donaghy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Donaghy, age 89, of Wayne, NJ.  Joe passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 12, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Born to Patrick and Annie Donaghy in Claudy, County Derry, Northern Ireland, Joe was 1 of 10 children.  Together with his siblings – Henry, James, Nan, Jane, Patsy, Mary, Philomena, Francis, and Phonsie – Joe had a wonderful, happy childhood in the beautiful Irish hillside of Muldonagh.  Though he loved his family and his home, he set off to London as a young man, where he became a very skilled mason and bricklayer.  From there, he traveled to Toronto and ultimately, to New York, where he would put down roots and become a US citizen.

It was at this time when Joe met his wife, Catherine (nee McCormack).  She was also an Irish immigrant, and had travelled to New York from Moorechurch, in County Meath, Ireland.  A secretary for Con Edison, Catherine loved to attend the traditional Irish dances, and on one fateful night, she met Joe at City Center.  Romance blossomed and in 1967, they were married in the Bronx.  Joe and Catherine started their life together in Riverdale, and later moved to Oradell, New Jersey, where they welcomed their daughter, Derry Anne in 1976.

Often recognized for his solid work ethic and quality craftsmanship, Joe had a successful career in construction that spanned 50 years.  Initially, he worked on buildings throughout Manhattan, and it wasn’t uncommon to find him on skyscrapers with the NYC skyline as a backdrop.  One of his favorite jobs was working on the Chrysler Building, where he repaired brickwork on the exterior many stories into the sky.  As the years progressed, he worked more locally in New Jersey, and became a very well respected mason in the Bergen County area.

One of Joe’s biggest passions was Gaelic football.  He began playing the sport as a young boy with his hometown club of Fore Glen.  While in London, he played with St. Joseph’s Gaelic Football Club, and later with the Toronto Senior Football Club.  Immediately upon his arrival in New York, Joe joined the Monaghan Club, where he played for many years – leading them to victory as Captain and Full-Back in the 1962 K.O. Final.  In 1966, Joe was elected Manager of the team and held that position until 1968, when the Monaghan Club won their first New York Championship.  In 1969, he became Manager of the New York team.

Joe was known for his great sense of humor, quick wit, and outgoing personality.  A devoted father, husband, and friend, Joe will surely be missed by all who knew him.

Joe is survived by his loving daughter, Derry Anne, his beloved younger brother Phonsie, numerous nieces and nephews, a host of lifelong friends, and his little dog, Orla.  He was predeceased by his wife, Catherine in 2008.