Father Henry A. Donoghue, 83

    WORCESTER - Father Henry A. Donoghue, 83, passed away peacefully on March 7 at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Father Donoghue was a priest of the Diocese of Worcester for 54 years.
    Born October 5, 1935, Father Donoghue was the son of Jeremiah T. and Mary A. (Salmon) Donoghue. He was a 1953 graduate of St. Stephen's High School and a 1959 graduate of Assumption College, both in Worcester. He graduated in 1964 from St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York.
    Father Donoghue was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1964 at St. Paul Cathedral by Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan. His first assignment as a priest was St. Peter Parish in Worcester. That was followed by appointments to Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Spencer and St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Worcester. In 1971, he was named chaplain at Anna Maria College in Paxton. In 1976, he was appointed associate pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Worcester, and appointments to Christ the King, and St. Bernard, both in Worcester followed.
    Father Donoghue was named pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in West Brookfield in 1983. In 1993, he was transferred to St. George Parish in Worcester as pastor where he served until 2007. He then accepted a new role as a senior priest at Blessed Sacrament, Worcester, where he served earlier in his priesthood. After his retirement in 2010, he continued to serve throughout the diocese, as needed.
    Father Donoghue had wanted to become a priest from a very early age and was dedicated to his Church and its people. He persevered in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ and performing selfless acts of kindness until his very last illness. He truly led by example and was loved and respected by all he served. He led a full and active life dedicated to God, his family and the community and will be remembered for his kind and loving heart and his gentle mannerisms.
    Father Donoghue leaves a brother Gerald F. Donoghue (Barbara) of West Palm Beach, Florida, and three sisters, Juliana M. Orciuch (Raymond) of Shrewsbury, Mary A. Kilcoyne (John) of West Boylston, and Ann T. Chaland (Leo) of Victoria, British Columbia, 21 nieces and nephews, 47 grandnieces and grandnephews, and four great-grand nieces. He will be greatly missed by his family for he taught them the true meaning of family, love and forgiveness.
    The family of Father Donoghue would like to sincerely thank those who helped with his care and support over the last few months, especially the staff of Tatnuck Park Senior Living and Rose Monahan Hospice Home. Their kindness and compassion will always be remembered.
    A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, March 13, at 11 a.m. in St. George's Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. Bishop McManus will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be private.
    There will be calling hours in St. George's Church on Tuesday, March 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. A vigil service will follow at 7 p.m. in the church.
    Donations in Father Donoghue's memory may be made to assist the Burmese refugee program in the City of Worcester, an organization extremely near and dear to his heart. Checks may be made payable to and sent to Blessed Sacrament, 551 Pleasant St., Worcester, MA 01602, with a notation as to the same.
    The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.