Robert “Bob” Donohue

Robert (Bob) Donohue, age 84 of Wayne, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2019.  He was a resident of Wayne since 1964.

Bob was well-known throughout northern New Jersey where he plied his craft as a carpenter and general contractor for over fifty years. He was meticulous and worked at his own pace.

Bob was born in Paterson on May 20, 1935 to Cyril and Ellen (Earley) Donohue.  When Bob was a young boy the family moved from Paterson to Fair Lawn.  He attended Fair Lawn public schools and graduated from Fair Lawn high school in 1953.  During high school, he played football and enjoyed roller skating, becoming “the King” of the Paramus Roller Rink.  Growing up, Bob developed his lifelong passion for the outdoors, becoming an avid fisherman and trapper. Later in life, Bob became an avid hunter, enjoying bird hunting the most with his many friends and his beloved Brittany Spaniels, Corky and Rusty.  He was a member of the Rock Tavern Rod and Gun Club.

After high school, Bob joined the U.S. Army and served much of his two-year tour in Germany. After being honorably discharged in 1957, he returned home and began working as a carpenter. Initially Bob worked with his childhood friend, John Sabol, then later with his

brother-in-law, Tom Kelley. He eventually moved out to work on his own as R.C. Donohue.  

It was also after his return home from the service, that he met and began dating his future wife, Barbara Kielty.  After a couple of years of dating, Bob and Barbara married on October 3, 1959 and then honeymooned in Bermuda.

They settled in East Paterson (Elmwood Park) for a few years before moving to the Lion’s Head Lake section of Wayne in 1964.  Their family quickly grew to include five children. Their home was always warm and welcoming, hosting holiday celebrations and visiting frequently with family for Sunday dinners. When the children were a little older, one of the family past times was to go on “Sunday drives”. This is when the whole family was treated to destinations unknown.  His children eventually came to realize that those Sunday drives always ended up at a desirable fishing spot, and Bob always had his fishing rod with him.  He would send them off to play in the woods while he spent some relaxing time fishing.  Annual summer vacations to Lavallette were always fun for the family. He also enjoyed gardening, hiking, and taking long drives through the countryside using the “back roads”.

For those who knew him well, he was a gentle giant and kind-hearted, humble, man who took pleasure in his family and the simple things life offered. He was rarely critical and never had an unkind word to say about others.

Heartache did visit Bob in 2005 when he lost his wife Barbara after forty-six years of marriage, and then again in 2010 when he lost his daughter Denise.  He did, however, find joy in his beloved friendship with Carmen Walsh of Fair Lawn for the past eleven years. This included new experiences for both of them.  She brought Bob to Broadway shows and museums, and he introduced her to his love of the outdoors.  They both treasured their companionship and loved each other dearly.

Bob is survived by four children, Karen Pabst and her husband Neal of Wayne, Robert and his wife Patricia of Pine Brook, Brian of Bayonne, and Allison Donohue-Bokor of Wayne, six grandchildren:  Kayla Bokor, Brittany Bokor, Anna Bokor, Chloe Houston, Joseph Donohue, and Laurel Donohue, and his beloved friend Carmen Walsh. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Kathleen and William Petteruti, sister in-law Barbara Kielty, and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents Cyril and Ellen, granddaughter Molly Johanna Donohue, his sister Joan Kelley and brother-in-law Thomas Kelley, niece Patty Kelley, brother-in-law Eugene Kielty, and niece Amy Kielty.