James O'Donahue

O’Donahue, James Patrick “Pat”

Madison - Pat, age 86, passed away on July 18, 2017 at Oakwood Prairie Ridge. He was born on October 7, 1930 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the son of James W. O’Donahue and Hazel Violet Miller. He attended high school at St. Pat’s where he excelled in sports and met his lifelong wife of 65 years, Gerrie Hobbs. Pat earned an athletic scholarship to UW Madison where he became a proud member of the famed 1951 ‘Hard Rocks’, the greatest defensive team in UW history. He earned All American status and played in the 1952 North South All Star Game. In addition to his athletic achievements, his teammates became his lifelong friends. Pat was drafted by San Francisco 49ers in the 5th round of the NFL draft where he played his rookie year. He spent 2 years in Japan with the US army, then returned to play a year with the Green Bay Packers. Pat felt that Madison was always good to him, so he and his wife, Gerrie, decided to make Madison their home. He owned his life/health insurance agency, Pat O’Donahue & Assoc. Pat loved to golf and give back to the community. The “Pat O’Donahue’s Golf for Kids” celebrity golf tournament has become the chief fundraiser for Easter Seals’ Camp Wawbeek, a summer camp in the Dells. He is a past president of the W Club and the NFL Alumni Association. Pat is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gerrie, his children Kevin of Madison, Sharon (Duane) Fox of Appleton and Kelly (Tim) of Shoreview, MN, his sister Kate Ochsner of Tennessee. In addition he has 7 grandchildren, Kimberlee, Matthew, Elizabeth, Lee, Emily, Patrick and Ellie plus 2 great grands, Kerris and Derr. Pat is joining his parents in Heaven along with his sisters, Joanne McGill and Marge O’Donahue and many, many friends.

A visitation will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 5001 N. Sherman Ave. on July 22, 2017 from 9:30-11am. Mass will be held immediately following the visitation at 11am with Msgr Charles Schluter officiating. We wish to thank the Agrace HospiceCare team and the entire Care team at Oakwood for their loving care. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Agrace Hospice, St. Peter’s Church or Camp Wawbeek.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit www.ryanfuneralservice.com