Donahue, Shawn R., Sr., 41, May 17, 2014. Visiting hours will be today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Washington County Community College in Calais, where services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.
BAILEYVILLE – Shawn Ryan Donahue Sr., 41, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 17, 2014, with his wife and son by his side. Shawn was born in Houlton on May 22, 1972, son of Frederick and Deborah (Peters) Donahue.
He graduated from Calais High School, class of 1990, and worked for his father’s business, Donahue Auto Supply. In 1995, Shawn started his law enforcement career with Calais Police Department until he attended the academy in 1998. After graduating from the 89th Municipal County Basic Police School, he worked for Baileyville Police Department from 1998 to 2009, working his way up to the rank of Sergeant. On August 23, 2003, he married his love, Darlene Cochran Phelps. Between 2009 and 2010, Shawn was a patrol deputy for Washington County Sheriff’s Department until accepting the position of Chief for Baileyville Police Department, a position he held from 2010 to 2013. In January, 2013, he went back to Washington County Sheriff’s Department where he served as the Chief Deputy until his passing. Shawn was a member of Maine Sheriff’s Assoc., Maine Police Chief’s Assoc, Spednic Club, and Crossroads Snowmobiling Club. Shawn loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling and for the last 11 years he played for Sons of Runs softball team. He was an avid New England sports fan and enjoyed watching any Red Sox, Patriots, or Celtics games. His most precious times were those spent with his family, attending the Peter’s family reunions on Drews Lake in New Limerick, and spending time at the Cochran family camp on Farrows Lake in Topsfield.
Surviving are his loving wife, Darlene (Cochran) Donahue of Baileyville; three beloved children, Pfc. Nathan Phelps, U.S. Army, of Ft. Bragg, NC, and Teagan and Shawn Donahue Jr. of Baileyville; his parents, Frederick and Deborah Donahue of Bangor; a brother, Christopher Donahue and his wife, Peggy of Calais; father and mother-in-law, Lyman and Kathleen Cochran of Waite; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mitchell and Donna Cochran of Waite, Jeffrey and Terry Cochran of Topsfield, and Robert and Betty Phelps of Topsfield; nieces and nephews, Ryan Roberts, Alexis and Karigan Donahue, Elizabeth and Naomi Scott, Devon Reynolds, Courtney, Tyler, Thomas, and Taylor Cochran, Ryan Beers, and Jalen Phelps; his extended family with Washington County Sheriff’s Department and throughout the state of Maine law enforcement community; many aunts, uncles, and cousins; and numerous dear friends.
Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Washington County Community College in Calais, where a celebration of Shawn’s life will be held 1 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist the family in care of Sgt. Brandon Parker of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 83 Court St., Machias, ME 04654. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
