Joseph Donahue

Mr. Joseph Thomas Donahue, age 84, of Vestavia Hills, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 17, 2012. Mr. Donahue was born in Philadelphia, PA on January 9, 1928, to the late John Joseph Donahue and Mary Ward Donahue. He graduated from Corpus Christie High School and St. Joseph's University where he played on the Freshman Basketball Team. His college education was interrupted as he proudly served our country in the Army during World War II. After completing his military service and receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to St. Joseph's where he graduated in 1951. His professional career began with the McCormick Spice Company where he was a salesman for one year. He left McCormicks to accept a sales position with U.S. Pipe & Foundry, first in Philadelphia then transferred to the Burlington, N.J. office. He rose up through the ranks at U.S. Pipe as a salesman, then to regional salesman in Buffalo, New York. He moved to Birmingham in 1966 as assistant southern sales manager, was then promoted to southern sales manager, national sales manager, and ultimately Vice President of Marketing when he retired in 1992. He was employed with U.S. Pipe & Foundry for over 37 years. He served in several capacities to organizations that were involved with the cast iron pipe industry, including service as President of the Cast Iron Pipe Institute. He was a longtime member of Vestavia Country Club, The Club, as well as The Downtown Club. Mr. Donahue was an active member of St. Peter's Catholic Church for the past 46 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marie Lyden and daughter-in-law, Janice Holmes Donahue. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret "Peggy" Donahue, five children, Joe Donahue, Tim (Diane) Donahue, Tom (Shelly) Donahue, Marianne (Robert) Smith, and Tricia (Mike) Vice, one sister, Mil Prendergast and one brother, Tom Donahue. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Jennifer (Justin) Thomas, Joseph (Katie) Donahue, Timothy Donahue, Jr., Elizabeth Donahue, Sarah Donahue, Claire Donahue, Robert Smith, Ryan Smith, Margaret Ann Vice, Mary Kate Vice, Michael Vice, and 3 great grandchildren, all who knew him affectionately as "Pop Pop", as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. The family will receive friends on Monday, May 21, 2012, from 9 to 11 AM at St. Peter's Catholic Church. The funeral service will be held at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church.