Francis "Billy" O'Donoghue

Francis “Billy” O'Donoghue, age 85, of Boston Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on June, 28, 2024. He was born on August 25, 1938, in the Boston City Hospital and raised on Norfolk Street, Dorchester. 

Francis enlisted in the Navy and served honorably as a Navy Corpsman 2nd Class overseas in Italy, and aboard the USS Randolph. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the Boston area where he worked as a Telephone Installer for New England Telephone, eventually retiring from Lucent Technologies after 40 years in telephony. Francis was an active member and past Post Commander of the John P. McKeon Amvets Post 146. He was union steward and proud member of the IBEW Local 2222. He enjoyed having a Crown Royal, traveling, good food, and a good book. 

He was also a steadfast New England Patriots fan. Francis was a devoted husband and father. 

He is survived by his wife, Joanne (McGrath) O’Donoghue, his children, Nancy Christensen and her husband, John, of Charleston, SC, Patricia Blake and her husband, Richard, of Whitman, Stephen O’Donoghue and his wife, Leigh, of Abington and predeceased by his oldest son John O’Donoghue. Brother of Barbara Owens and her late husband, David, of Westwood and Jean Springer of Norwood. Proud Papa to Johnny, Ricky, Ryan, Steven, Olivia, Jack, Sean, Matthew, and Michael. Great Papa to Stella Elizabeth. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sunday, July 7th from 3-6pm in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home South Weymouth at 809 Main Street (Rt. 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:45 AM on Monday, July 8th prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Bridget’s Church, Abington at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in MA National Cemetery, Bourne. 

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the amazing VA Doctors, Nurses and Staff who treated our father like family and a special thanks to everyone at the Brockton Combined Living Center. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Boston Carmel (Carmelite Sisters), 61 Mount Pleasant Ave, Boston, MA 02119 // carmelitesofboston.org. 

Francis “Billy” O'Donoghue will be deeply missed by all who knew him.