We are saddened to learn of the passing of Ed Donohue, a former faculty member, coach, and the very first Director of Athletics for Our Lady of Lourdes High School. According to his obituary, he passed away peacefully on January 8, 2023.
A graduate of the Poughkeepsie High School class of 1947, “Coach D”, as he was here at Lourdes, excelled in football, baseball and basketball. He went on to attend Niagara University on a football scholarship but only attended one year before being enlisted to serve in the US Air Force. In the Air Force, he continued to play all 3 sports for several years and upon completing his degrees (Bachelor’s & Masters) at Syracuse University and then played semi-pro football for one year.
Coach D joined Our Lady of Lourdes High School in 1959 as a member of the faculty teaching General Science, Biology, Social Studies, and World History. He is most remembered, however, for establishing the first athletics program for our newly opened high school.
Ed Donohue speaks during his induction to the Lourdes Athletic Hall of Fame in September 2011.In 2011 we were honored to induct Coach D into our Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach D was part of the inaugural class that included athletic directors and coaches who went on to succeed him: Richard Beams, Brian Giorgis, and Cathy Kelly. During his acceptance speech he remarked, “I feel very close to Our Lady of Lourdes High School to this very day. It was a most life-developing and enjoyable experience dealing with the Marist Brothers and Dominican Sisters. Starting the basketball, football and baseball programs with no gymnasium, fields or equipment was not an easy task. Needless to say, we struggled through it.”
Athletic Hall of Fame - September 16, 2011 From left to right: Rob Ranieri '87 - Lourdes Alumni Association President, Brad Westrick - Lourdes AD, Dick Beams - Former AD and Coach and Hall of Fame Inductee, Ed Donohue and Father Lagiovane - Lourdes Principal.
Ed Donohue poses with fellow inductees Gary Henderson '63 and Brian Giorgis at the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction in 2011.
Coach D left Lourdes in 1963 and went on to have a full and successful career at Niagara University and King’s College.
We send our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the Donohue family. It is an honor to have his name forever a part of Lourdes history.
