Gary L. Donahue

Gary L. Donahue, age 77 of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware. 

Born in 1948 in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Leonard and Marguerite Donahue. Gary graduated with a B.R.E. from Detroit Bible College (William Tyndale College) and was ordained to the ministry in 1971.  He went on to serve as Pastor at Bible Baptist Church in New Jersey and later Memorial Baptist Church in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania.  Later, he became a professor at Philadelphia College of Bible (Cairn University) in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Gary then obtained his M. Ed. from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, taught middle school social studies and geography in the Coatesville Area School District, and served as Assistant Principal at Coatesville Area Intermediate High School and later at Pequea Valley High School in Kinzers, Pennsylvania. Gary’s last gift to education was to serve as Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences and Coordinator for Student Success at Wilmington University in Wilmington, Delaware. Other notable career accomplishments included his “Great American Celebration Company” as well as his role at The Center for Constitutional Studies which gave him the ability to do two things he loved, teaching and traveling.

Gary’s love of the Lord and passion for history, baseball, football, geography, jingles from his childhood, audio books, movies, good hot rolls, piping hot fries, chocolate cake, Haagen Daz ice cream, and Bill Knapps (just to name a few), and of course, the Bible were well known and adored by everyone who loved him.  

Gary had a wonderful singing voice and would often sing at church, but his profound talent for public speaking was what set him apart. He was often invited to use his gifts and talents in this area to reach broad audiences from delivering sermons to hosting a radio show, to serving as the Master of Ceremonies and being the keynote speaker for various graduations, celebrations, and services. Gary dedicated his life to serving others through Christ.  He valued the power of faith, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the importance and value of education. His warm and wonderful sense of humor, patience, and understanding made him a sought after counselor and confidant. His love and pride for his children and grandchildren were evident to everyone who knew him, and his faith was an example to the many, many lives he touched throughout his lifetime as a Christian and pastor.  

He is survived by his daughter, Wendy and her husband, Mark; his son, David and his wife, Lisa; as well as four grandchildren, Grace and Gavriella Friz and Aviva and Meara Donahue.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Gary’s memory to Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association at https://www.cmtausa.org/, the CMT Research Foundation at https://cmtrf.org/, or https://rarediseases.org/organizations/gbs-cidp-foundation-international/.

You are loved, Gary. Your kindness and dedication to others will always be remembered.

Arrangements by Kuzo Funeral Home of Kennett Square, PA.