Obituary

WILLIAM J. DONAGHEY - in Woburn, July 12th. Beloved husband of Judith A. (Brophy) Donaghey. Devoted father of Michael and his wife Meredith of Washington, CT, Julie of Woburn, and Stephen of Atlanta, GA. Dear brother of Barry Donaghey and his wife Brenda of Woburn, Bruce Donaghey and his wife Diane of Fayetteville, GA, Roberta Coates of Kennebunk, ME, and Edward Coates and his longtime companion, Deanie Lowe, of Kennebunkport, ME. Loving grandfather of Danielle and Derek Perkins and Cole and Brooke Donaghey. Dear son-in-law of John Brophy of Woburn, and nephew of Virginia Bresnahan of Haverhill. Funeral from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, July 16th at 9:15 a.m. Funeral mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10. Calling hours Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Woburn High School Scholarship Fund, PO Box 202, Woburn, MA 01801.

OBITUARY:

William James Donaghey, a lifelong Woburn resident, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, late Monday, July 12th, following a brief illness. The beloved husband of Judith A. (Brophy) Donaghey, he was 67.

Born in Woburn, he was the son of the late Joseph and Frances (Nagle) Donaghey. He attended St. Charles grammar school and went on to Woburn High School where he graduated with the Class of 1960. He was a three-sport athlete while at WHS, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He continued his education at Columbian Preparatory School in Washington D.C. and later attended Northeastern University.

As a child, he spent many sun-filled days at Kennebunkport with his mother, memories of which always held a special place in his heart. During the 60’s and 70’s, “Billy Vars” was an integral part of the Lukie’s Sunoco fast pitch softball team, a championship team which traveled all over New England winning tournaments. Lifelong friendships, which he cherished dearly, were developed during these summers.

In the winter months he became well known for refereeing high school and college basketball games, his second love. He was a member of the CBOA for many years until it was time to watch his children participate in their sports programs.

He began his career in sales with Minute Man Oil Company in Lexington and continued in sales until his untimely death. At present he was employed by HOP Energy Company.

In 1966 he was married to the former Judith Brophy, his high school sweetheart who, coincidentally, was born on the same day and in the same hospital where their mothers were roommates. They went on to spend forty-four fun-filled years together, traveling and enjoying their children and grandchildren. Sports were always a huge part of Bill’s life and he enjoyed watching and tutoring his children as they grew. As the years went by, his athletic interests turned to golf, which occupied most of his weekends at the Woburn Country Club.

Surviving along with his wife Judy are three children: Michael and his wife Meredith of Washington, Connecticut, Julie of Woburn, and Stephen of Atlanta, Georgia, his twin brothers, Barry Donaghey and his wife Brenda of Woburn and Bruce Donaghey and his wife Diane of Fayetteville, Georgia, his sister, Roberta Coates of Kennebunk, Maine, and his brother, Edward Coates and his longtime companion, Deanie Lowe, of Kennebunkport, Maine. He was also the beloved “Papa” of Danielle and Derek Perkins of Woburn and Cole and Brooke Donaghey of Connecticut, the dear son-in-law of John Brophy of Woburn, and nephew of Virginia Bresnahan of Haverhill.

The funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Friday, July 16th at 9:15 a.m., followed by a funeral mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn, at 10. Interment will follow in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Woburn High School Scholarship Fund, PO Box 202, Woburn, MA 01801.