Gene Donaghey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away at the age of 88. He had a wide range of interests, including the Chicago Bears, vanilla ice cream, travel, cars, flashlights, gadgets, music, and movies.

Gene cherished his family deeply, especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Priscilla, his daughter Virginia, sons Eugene and Michael, grandchildren Kerissa, Erika, Katie, Connor, and Penny, and great-grandchildren Julian, Annabelle, and Dawson.

Gene's love for movies was evident in his admiration for the ballroom dance scene in the live-action Cinderella. He watched it repeatedly, sharing his excitement with his family, captivated by the gown and the camera angles. Cinderella 2015 Royal Ball Scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-qOgm1sLP0

His own love story began at a school dance, where he met the love of his life, Priscilla. Drawn to her immediately, he asked her to save all the dances for him. This chance encounter blossomed into a lifelong love affair, spanning over 67 years of marriage.

Priscilla and Gene built a life together filled with laughter and love. He served in the National Guard, developing the discipline and tenacity that served him well in his career and as a devoted husband and father. He graduated from college, becoming the first in his family to do so. This achievement fueled his determination to provide a secure future for his family, a promise he fulfilled with unwavering dedication.

Gene excelled in his career, eventually thriving at a family-run local company in Chicago. While dedicated to his work, his family always came first. He prioritized their well-being, ensuring their safety and comfort, and was always generous with his time and resources.

Gene possessed a vibrant personality and a contagious laugh. He loved telling jokes and had a laugh that could fill a room. Though sometimes reserved, his laughter was infectious, and he would often try, in vain, to recapture the sound, as if to suck it back into his body.
In his later years, as his memory began to fade, his family discovered that talking about his children and his life with Priscilla brought him comfort. Reassuring him of their love and well-being, and reminiscing about their shared memories, provided a sense of peace. Reminiscing about Disney vacations, a place he considered the happiest on Earth, especially when his family was with him, always brought a smile to his face.

Gene will be deeply missed by his family. His weekly Sunday phone calls, a cherished tradition for decades, will forever be remembered. He was a kind, generous, and loving man who leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter.