Thomas Aquinas Donahue's Obituary
Thomas “Tom” Aquinas Donahue, of Mableton, Georgia, passed away on April 20, 2025, at
Manor Lake Assisted Living and Memory Care in Hiram, Georgia. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the late Anna Boyle Donahue and the late Thomas Aquinas Donahue.
Tom was born and raised in South Philadelphia, where he graduated from Bishop Neumann High School. He was especially proud of his Irish roots and hometown, always carrying the spirit of South Philly with him wherever he went.
Known to his friends as “Lefty,” Tom was an outstanding athlete and briefly played for the Cleveland Indians’ minor league team in the 1960s. After moving to Georgia in the late 1980s, he became a proud Braves fan, always cheering for the home team — especially when they were winning.
Tom cherished his time with family and always put them first. He did whatever was necessary to take care of the people he loved. Often, you could find him in the bleachers or a folding chair on the sidelines, cheering for his children and grandchildren at every game and meet, from baseball, football, basketball, and lacrosse to track and swim.
He found joy in the simple things — tending to his lawn, preparing his pool for summer guests, making daily trips to the Publix Deli, and kicking back to watch whatever game was on the TV or radio. Later in life, he liked to sit on the porch or in a chair by the kitchen window and watch the birds perch on his feeders, especially the hummingbirds. His home was always filled with dogs, music, and a cold drink waiting for company. If you happened to stay for breakfast, “Tom’s Diner” would open, serving the best scrapple and eggs in town, made to order.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Margaret McDonald Donahue. He is survived by his children: Tommy (Tamera) Donahue of Atlanta, GA; Maureen (John) Donahue Jardin of Powder Springs, GA; Michael (Rachel) Donahue of Zionsville, IN; and Maggie (Ike) Donahue Wheeless of Asheville, NC. He also leaves behind his six cherished grandchildren: John Thomas Jardin, Ryan Jardin, Andrew Jardin, Charlie Donahue, Tessa Donahue, and Lila Donahue.
A funeral mass will be held Friday, May 16th, 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Smyrna, GA. An interment service will take place in May 17th at Honey Creek Woodland Cemetery in Conyers, GA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wellstar Foundation (in support of the Rock Steady Program) in memory of Tom Donahue.
Donations can be directed online to https://foundation.wellstar.org/give-now/
Or mailed to: Wellstar Foundation, 1800 Parkway Place .Marietta, GA 30067
*Please include "In support of the Parkinson’s Rock Steady Program" in the memo line.
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