Fairport – October 19, 2018. Predeceased by parents, Kenneth and Florene Donoghue. Survived by daughters, Marnie (David) Gardner and Jayme (Christopher) Levy; grandchildren, Maryn and Shay Kent, Lin and Michael Levy; brothers, David (Mel) Donoghue and Richard (Susan) Donoghue; several loving nieces and nephews; dear friends, Jack Mulvey, Susan Casement and Jerrilyn Boynton. Bob was an English teacher at Fairport Central Schools for over 30 years. He enjoyed reading and writing poetry, dancing and spending time at his family cottage on Hemlock Lake.
A Funeral Service will be held Saturday November 17th, 10 AM at First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 Winton Road South, Rochester. In lieu of flowers, Robert wishes people to send flowers to someone they love that is alive or to donate to the Landmark Society of WNY or to TheTrevorProject.org
Bob was born on September 15, 1946 to parents Kenneth and Florene Donoghue. He was the middle of three boys. When he was five, he “helped” his father, older brother David, and other family and friends to build his family’s beloved “cottage” on their 35-acre property in Conesus, New York overlooking Hemlock Lake. Bob’s job was to mix water into the cement and sand. (His brother Richard was too young at the time to participate.) Although it was far from a fancy estate, Bob and other family members spent much time enjoying nature and each other at that special place throughout his life.
In 1964, he graduated from Olympia High School in Greece, New York. He then went on to Hartwick College from 1964-1968 where he received his bachelor’s degree and his English teaching certification. In 1968 he married and went on to have two beloved daughters, Marnie and Jayme.
In the fall of 1970, he began a 31-year career teaching English at Minerva DeLand School in Fairport, New York. He had quite a presence in the classroom whether it be reading aloud from Romeo and Juliet or Great Expectations with passion, shuffling his feet as he passed out papers, whistling, dancing, or using his stern voice as he scolded with great inflection in German. He made lasting impressions on co-workers and students throughout the years.
Much of his adult life, he had a close relationship with Jack Mulvey. Bob was a gifted poet, a compassionate person, and full of zest for life. He enjoyed traveling, the great outdoors, antiques and historic buildings, and just spending time enjoying life with family and friends. He decorated his home with an eclectic flair. He was an incredible dancer who would be the center of attention on the dance floor at any wedding reception that he attended.
Poem written by:
Robert Charles Donoghue
Mark the Place
My poems Mark the place-
For I leave no other footprints.
No one will remember where I have walked.
Blank faces will stare at the sea from the shore where I once stood.
Someone eles’s ears will listen to the chattering leaves that I saw in a younger season.
But I will pack my soul in shoeboxes-
I will leave a part of me. Ink on paper,
Pencil marks on enverlopes, Emily like-
My soul will select her own society-
And people will know me only after I am “called back.”
I will leave the pieces for others to ponder.
For I made what sense of it I could-
As any man, I suppose. A common man who looks at at world that bemuses, frustrates, mocks, sneers, slashes.
I will leave scribbles on paper.
I must leave them.
For only my poems will mark the place.
Comments
10 responses to “Donoghue, Robert C.”
Marnie and Dave,
What a beautiful tribute to a well accomplished man.
Hold the memories close to your heart.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family?
I am so very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. My heart and prayers go out to all of his family and friends. May God grant him eternal peace in heaven.
Having known Bob through many projects he’d be helping my Uncle with, he was always such a delight to see. His genuine friendliness, humor and good nature always were foremost. My sincere sympathy to all of Bob’s family, knowing that his peace was well earned.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mr Donoghue was my English teacher in Jr. High. He was fun as well as being an awesome teacher. I have never forgotten him, and never will. He was one of my favorites. What a beautiful tribute!
Those of us who were lucky enough to have Mr. Donoghue for English at MD will never forget his smile and the “Donoghue Shuffle” he used to execute across the front of the room. Frequently imitated, never mastered by anyone other than the originator. On top of that, he was one of the greats. I am so sad to hear of his passing.
I have told this story before, but it bears repeating for his family and friends. One day, in 9th grade English, last period of the day, he assigned us a writing project, entitled “The day I…” Our classmate, Jon May (may he also RIP), grabbed a piece of paper and started writing, while dictating out loud – “The. Day. I. Lost. My. Virginity.” Mr. Donoghue didn’t bat an eye. The rest of us roared. He let Jon write it. English was never dull with Mr. Donoghue around.
I knew Bob at Hartwick and as a fellow member of Alpha Sig. We had many laughs together at the fraternity house. He had a droll sense of humor. I am also from Rochester and we initially kept in contact but drifted apart over the years. I saw him at St. Ann’s a few years back and caught up on each others lives in the parking lot. My condolences on your loss.
May the love of friends and the family’s cherished memories bring comfort at this time. Romans 15:4
Bob was one of the most sensitive and warm fraternity brothers I remember from our Alpha Sigma Phi days at Hartwick College in the mid 1960s. He was really the life of the party on so many occasions and knew no enemies. My thoughts go out to his daughters, grandchildren, former students and all his many friends. He will be missed.
My sincere condolences to Bob’s loved ones. I also had the privilege of being in Bob’s class and he truly made a difference in my learning experience. I vividly remember his animated approach to teaching and engaging with us – humoring all including himself. I also want to share, on behalf of my Mother Joy Tiberio who we lost almost seven years ago, that Bob was truly “one of her favorites” through her many years working in the office at Minerva Deland.
I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, My prayers go out to his family and friends. May he be granted eternal peace in heaven.