Former Geneva community development director Mike Donahue dies

GENEVA – Michael Donahue, a Geneva resident, graduate of Geneva High School and former Kane County Board member, died Dec. 12 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at the family’s second home in Naples, Florida.

Flags in Geneva are at half-staff in honor of Donahue’s memory, Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns said.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

At the Dec. 16 City Council meeting, Burns remembered Donahue’s contributions on several fronts, including when he served as the city’s community development director.

“Mike had a personality larger than life,” Burns said. “His physical presence was matched only by his kindness, generosity and genuine compassion for others. A successful public servant and business leader, Mike’s creativity and ingenuity can be seen, felt and appreciated throughout Geneva, Kane County and Naples, Florida.”

Burns said Donahue, who was diagnosed three years ago, sent out an email in January 2018 to friends about his diagnosis.

“ALS claimed his life … at the tender age of 58,” Burns said. “An extraordinary loss in this community, throughout Kane County and southwestern Florida.”

Burns credited Donahue with being the impetus behind the Prairie Green Preserve in Geneva, a 580-acre publicly owned prairie/wetland restoration and passive recreation site.

After the sale of $10 million in bonds for the purchase of land, 360 acres were acquired between 1999 and 2002. An additional 80 acres were acquired with the Kane County Forest Preserve district in 2002. The city accepted 140 acres of surplus land from the Illinois Department of Corrections in 2003.

“Those hundreds of acres west of Peck Road that are now, forever, open space,” Burns said. “He deserves all the credit for the redevelopment of Settlers Hill landfill, which is currently under development to become a nationally recognized championship level cross country course.”

Burns described Donahue as having a “bigger than life personality” as he sought to support others who “had greater struggles.”

Whenever Donahue and his wife, Carol, hosted a party, it was never just hosted by them, Burns said, but for some other organization.

“They partied with a purpose, if you will,” Burns said.

At the groundbreaking for the cross country course on the former landfill site in April 2018, board member John Martin, R-Geneva, praised Donahue for pushing the project.

“Mike Donahue was the driving force [for the course] during his six years on the board," Martin said. "Not only the hill, but the plan for this area that governs what we do was [because of] Mike's sophistication and expertise … and professionals that brought us to this moment today. We can't forget that."

Professionally, Donahue was a trailblazer in the renewable energy field, a founder of Midwest Wind Energy, a company that facilitated the use of wind turbines in rural areas and worked with communities and local governments to receive the necessary permits for their construction, according to the announcement in Kane County Connects.

In Geneva, Donahue and his family had one of the area’s first solar-powered homes, and he was a strong proponent of Kane County initiatives in solar power, such as the panels that now provide energy for the Kane County Animal Control facility.

Donahue and his wife served as chairs of the annual Marklund Top Hat Gala, receiving its Friend of the Year award, said Jeannine Zupo, director of signature events for Marklund.

“Mike was the ultimate philanthropist and friend,” Zupo said. “Carol and Mike are the most giving, caring people I’ve ever met. … This is such a huge loss for this world.”

Zupo said as recently as this year, Donahue advocated for Marklund when it had problems getting its new day school approved.

“He was still very capable,” Zupo said. “He was such a great advocate for the things we did at Marklund.”

At his second home in Naples, Florida, Donahue served as vice president of the board on the Freedom Waters Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs and veterans through providing therapeutic boat experiences.

"I loved and adored Mike Donahue," said Debra Frenkel
founder and executive director. "He created our Kind Mariners Ball, which is now our premier fundraiser, and is in its sixth year."

Donahue modeled it after the successful Top Hat Gala, Frenkel said.

His other community activities included membership in the Rotary Club of Geneva, where he was named Rotarian of the Year in 1996.

The Beachwood Society Cremation Services in Naples, Fla. are handling arrangements for Donahue.

According to its website, beachwoodsociety.com, tributes and memories can be posted there.