Edward J. Donahue, Jr.

81, of East Providence, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.  He was the beloved son of the late Edward J. Donahue, Sr. and the late Eva V. (Dorio) Keidel.

Born in Providence, RI, he grew up in the Fox Point section (God’s Little Acre), attended the parish school (Cleary), LaSalle Academy, and Providence College, and achieved a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of RI.

Growing up he was a talented baseball player, participating in local minor leagues.  The great love of his hobby life was cruising Narragansett Bay on his fishing boat as far out as Block Island.  The majority of his professional career was as a social worker for the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, devoting much time in the early 1960s to orienting to Rhode Island and mentoring the Hmong population.

Edward is survived by his sister Carolyn (Paul) O’Malley, nephew Paul O’Malley Jr., all of Cranston, and nephew Patrick J. (Francesca) O’Malley of San Sebastian, Spain.  He is also survived by his brother-in-law Herbert S. Plep, niece Carolyn Jane Plep, and David S. (Jeanette) Plep, all of Portland, Oregon, and also predeceased by his sister Olive A. Plep.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston.  Visitation is respectfully omitted.  Burial in St. Ann Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, 1525 Cranston St., Cranston, RI 02920.