Passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Headwaters Health Care Centre, Orangeville, where he had been a volunteer. For many years, Paul won an award as Ontario volunteer of the year. Predeceased by his parents, Helen and Frank. Paul leaves three brothers, Donald , James and William. Donoahues were long time residents of Orangeville, where his father had a shoe store on Broadway. Paul was a very active fund raiser for multiple charities, playing his mouth organ at markets and at other events.
The family will receive their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) on Thursday morning, May 11 from 10:30 until time of funeral service in the chapel at 11:30 a.m.
Interment will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Orangeville.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the hospital would be appreciated.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Heather Wiltshire
I will always remember Paul for his Music and love of the Hospital. His Book Shelves not only raised money for the hospital, it also gave the readers many hours of pleasure with the variety of literature it provided.
Thanks for all you did, and Rest In Peace, Paul.
Barbara Moulton
Paul was like the Energizer Bunny. He kept going and going and going. He was engaged in so many ways in the hospital and the community. I loved to greet him in the mailroom at HHCC when he was volunteering there. Sometimes he joined me with his harmonica when I was playing my guitar (if we could just get in the same key). And of course I saw him at countless community events.
And how can I thank him for all the books that I have read over the last several years from the Book Sale Shelves he faithfully tended for so many years?
I was so pleased when the IODE, Lord Dufferin Chapter gave him the Citizenship Award in 2016. As a member of that group, I knew he was a perfect recipient.
RIP Paul, you will be missed.
Mike and Virg Pytlik
Rest in peace Paul. Always enjoyed our talks together and thank you for all the things you did for the people of Orangeville. You will be missed.
Headeaters Healthcare Auxiliary, Orangeville
It is with great sadness that the Volunteers at Headwaters Healthcare Auxiliary send condolences to Paul’s Family on his recent passing. Paul was a dedicated Volunteer for over 26 years at our Hospital and will be greatly missed.
Paulne Oliff
Paul will long be remembered in and around our Hospital. He was “one of a kind” and will be greatly missed at our Hospital and in our community for the thousands of volunteer hours that he gave so willingly. God Rest His Soul.
Carol Riddell
Paul was an incredible volunteer at the hospital putting in thousands of miles and many hours of time. If he wasn’t running patients around he was playing his music. RIP Paul you have earned in Thanks for your dedication and commitment!
Jim Jordan
Paul was well known throughout Orangeville and his music was always greatly appreciated.
The harmonica is now quite !
Janette Shilson
My sincerest condolences to the Donoahue family. Paul was a staple for Headwaters. He was like the energizer bunny and nothing could slow him down. I will miss our gardening talks when I would run into him at Walmart and at the hospital. Rest in Peace my dear friend, it was an honour to have known you!
Beverley Uzun
Paul was a neighbour of mine at 43 Bythia St. He was always so happy, cheerfull & on the go all the time. Whenever, I seen Paul, I’d say hi Paul. He’d say hello. He love playing crossword puzzles & his harmonica. He was such a joy.
Rest In Peace Paul. You will be missed, by alot of people 🙁
Sheila Hoffman
My condolences to Paul’s family. I knew Paul from the Apartment building were he lived. I used to live there too.
Vicki Ivany
Paul will be missed at so many of the events in town. I will always remember when he joined my young family for a Christmas dinner. We always had a chuckle when we met on the streets or at the hospital. Thanks again Paul.
Johanne Beech
Paul was an incredible man with a gentle and sweet soul. He would always make me smile and I will greatly miss our conversations. Rest in Peace Paul.
Rhonda
Paul was a very kind and thoughtful man. When he rode the transit bus on vey hot days, he liked to bring a cold drink for the driver.
I remember my daughter asking Paul if he would like to entertain the residents at the Avalon, where she did her college placement. Paul gladly accepted the invitation and the residents where thrilled to hear him play his mouth organ.
Paul your presence and stories will be missed on the transit bus
Rest in peace.
Mary Chiasson on behalf of parishioners of St Timothy Church
Our heartfelt condolences to Paul’s family. Paul was a much beloved faithful man. He gentle, caring and loving presence will be missed by his faith community of St Timothy RC Church. May his soul rest in the peace of God’s welcoming embrace, until we will all meet again♥
Charles Swarbrick
Dear Don and Joan: We were so sorry to hear of Don’s brother’s death. Our condolences to both of you and to the rest of the family.
With much love, Chick and Linn.
Debbie
I had the pleasure of getting to know Paul on Orangenville Transit . He was always so plesant and kind to us drivers and to the other passangers as well . He always entertained us on St. Patricicks Day by playing. his harmonica eps. My favourite when Irish Eyes are Smiling and at Christmas time he played as well . I used tease Paul and tell him the reason He didn’t spend a lot of time at his apt. was because there wasn’t much room left for him because all his awards he received over the years took up so much space and didn’t leave much room left for him . Orangeville was very fortunate to have a man like Paul as a reaident . Orangeville Transit will not be the same with out him . May you rest in peace Harmonica Man .
Cathy Trudeau
Paul was a dedicated volunteer at Dufferin Area Hospital and Headwaters Health Care Centre .
Everyday he was busy stocking and organizing the bookshelves and delivering the mail.
He has been at the hospital for as long as I can remember and always had a smile and a greeting for everyone .
Paul’s energy and kind spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Margaret
Headwaters hospital has lost a great man. Paul was an inspiration to our community, he walked these halls day after day chatting to everyone along the way. He lifted many spirits with his music and friendly chatter. Always quick with a Hello and Good Morning. He certainly deserved all his awards he received fir his service to our hospital and community. Rest in Peace Paul, your greatest reward is in heaven.
Jim & Nell Gallagher and family
Our family met Paul years ago when he joined the Dufferin Epilepsy Chapter. Paul’s tireless help with Glad Days for Epilepsy contributed to its success. We remember Paul riding his bike with his lawn maintenance equipment. Over the years we would run into Paul at the market, church, the hospital and various bus stops around town and we’d share an update on our lives. Paul will be missed.
Jamie Woods
When I was in public school I remember seeing Paul driving his bicycle around town loaded down with rakes and shovels and other yard care tools all the time. I never had the pleasure of meeting him face to face until 1991 when Orangeville Transit started running. He was a very pleasant and caring man. He lived for volunteer work. When he wasn’t able to go to the hospital to help out it bothered him immensely. He would always talk about how he was going to get back there as soon as he could to help out because they needed him. He was very talented on the harmonica which he would play for hours on end just to raise money for different charities. A very thoughtful man and he will be missed by many people. RIP Paul
Jill Sproule
Our sincere condolences in the passing of Paul. He was one of Orangeville’s most recognized citizens and a friendly face at many community events.
Phyllis Sproule and Family
Lorna
Paul was a wonderful man , I had been cutting his hair for the last 7 years ..
Very caring man
He will be missed
☹️
Jeannie DeVogel
My condolences! My first memory of Paul is being at the shoe store, so long ago now. I marvelled at how he was able to ride his bike with all the implements on it! Paul’s greatest gifts were in his volunteer work at the hospital and his book sales, I donated quite a few books to his cause, and it won’t be the same going to the Market without him there playing his harmonica. He will be missed!
Ken Graham
I don’t think I have ever met Paul but I certainly salute him for his outstanding record of volunteering. What a kind and wonderful human being. Paul, you certainly will be missed.
Corinne Hall
Sending my condolences on the passing of Paul, he was an amazing person, always willing to lend a hand and wonderful harmonica player. I will miss seeing him around town. RIP Paul.
Lord Dufferin Centre Retirement Residence
We are so sorry for your loss. You have our deepest sympathy and are in our thoughts and prayers. Your brother was a very special extraordinary person who would do anything you asked of him. Residents and staff along with many others will miss Paul’s kind spirit. We will never forget here at Lord Dufferin Centre his great smile and the caring and willingness to share his talent with a harmonious tune for all, at any occasion over the number of years! Paul was fondly called the “The Harmonica Man’ and brought many hours of enjoyment to residents and staff. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Paul will be always in our memory and hearts.
Alison Scheel
So sorry to hear about Paul’s passing. Paul and his music will be greatly missed by his friends at the Orangeville Farmers’ Market.
Orangeville and District Horticultural Society
Paul was a valued member of our Horticultural Society for a number of years. His voluntary contributions to several organizations in Orangeville were so appreciated. His music at the market is missed.
Orangeville and District Horticultural Society