Michael Patrick Donahue

Michael Patrick Donahue, 81, of Keene, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Born in Montague City, MA on July 26, 1944, he was the son of the late Walter and Catherine (Croake) Donahue.

Mike grew up in Millers Falls, MA and graduated from Mahar Regional High School in Orange, MA. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as Master Sergeant and then continued in the Army Reserves until 1995, serving his country for over 27 years. He attended St. Francis College in Maine where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and played baseball for 4 years. He later continued his education and earned his master’s degree from Keene State College.

Mike met the love of his life, Cynthia A. Burrill, in high school and they were married on October 14th, 1966, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orange, MA. They raised their family in Keene, NH where Mike worked for the Keene Public School System for over 30 years as a devoted history teacher, drivers ed teacher, and coach of multiple sports. Mike was a prominent fixture on the ball field. He was the head coach for the Freshman and JV baseball teams at Keene High school, where he coached them to over 300 career wins. His coaching success continued indoors to the court where he coached women's basketball, an honor which earned him an induction into the New Hampshire Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.

In his free time, you would often find Mike (and of course Cindy) supporting many Keene sports teams at as many games that he could attend. He would always love to "talk shop" with anyone and EVERYONE he would encounter. Whether it was a former student or player, Mike always made time to share his vast knowledge and wisdom with those he would encounter. This is why, you could never just send him into a store for one thing...inevitably, he would bump into someone he knew and that quick stop would turn into much more.

With baseball being an important part of his life, Mike, of course, was an avid Red Sox Fan, but nothing made him happier than watching his son Ryan play...and eventually his grandson Chase. Mike enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events, whether it was traveling to Cooperstown to watch Chase play baseball, or cheering on his granddaughter Maggie at the skating rink or riding lessons, you could always count on him to be there. Many summers were spent vacationing in Maine with his family and also was known to spontaneously take a drive up to Wells Maine with Cindy just to have lunch at their favorite beach.

He is survived by his son Ryan Donahue and wife Kristen; daughter Caitlin Newell; grandchildren Chase Donahue and Magdalen Newell; sister Fran Ducharme; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Cynthia Donahue and brother Jack Donahue.

A visitation will be held from 5PM to 7PM on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Cheshire Family Funeral Home, 44 Maple Ave, Keene NH. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10AM on Friday, November 21, 2025, at St. Bernard Church, 185 Main St, Keene NH.

Donations in memory of Mike may be made to the Keene High School Alumni Fund, Inc.

Services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.