Thomas P. Donadee

Youngstown- Thomas P. Donadee, 61, passed away Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Tom was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Frank and Janet Donadee. He was a 1982 graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Following graduation, Tom proudly served in the National Guard, completing basic training at Fort McClellan in Alabama. He went on to attend Youngstown State University, where he earned a degree in marketing in 1988.

From 1982 to 1995, Tom worked alongside his father and brothers at 5D Construction Company, an experience that reflected his strong work ethic and deep commitment to family. In 1995, Tom began a career with the Boardman Township Fire Department, where he served faithfully until his passing. Over nearly three decades, Tom rose to the rank of lieutenant and concluded his career as a fire inspector, earning the respect of his colleagues and the community he served.

Tom met the love of his life, Karen, in Daytona Beach in 1983. They were married Nov. 5, 1988, and shared a life centered on family, tradition, and travel. Together, they raised two sons, Jake and Tommy, of whom Tom was immensely proud.

One of Tom’s greatest passions was coaching football. He began coaching with the Boardman Local 1176 flag football team during Tommy’s early years, then dedicated many seasons to the Canfield Little Cardinals. He later went on to coach football at Canfield Middle School, where he was known for his leadership, commitment, winning attitude, and genuine care for his players.

Outside of coaching and work, Tom enjoyed staying active and spending time outdoors. He loved golfing and playing pickleball and especially cherished camping trips to Cook Forest, Pennsylvania, and memorable trips to Lake Placid, New York, with Tommy. He enjoyed annual golf trips to Myrtle Beach with his brothers and closest friends, a tradition that spanned more than 30 years. Tom also loved traveling with Karen and took great pride in ensuring his family enjoyed an annual vacation, many of them spent together at St. Pete Beach.

Many of Tom’s fall weekends were spent watching his two favorite teams, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns, the latter of which routinely disappointed him, as he shared his love of the sport with his son Jake. Tom was also an avid fan of Youngstown State football and spent many Saturdays tailgating in the corner of the lot at Stambaugh Stadium with many of his closest friends.

Tom took great pride in being an entertainer. Many of his days were spent taking care of his pool, cooking Italian dinners and barbecues for his family, and spending time with loved ones on his back patio. His famed hot peppers and oil were his greatest culinary accomplishment.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Frank Donadee; his brother, Robert Donadee; his parents-in-law, Sheila and Terry Dunn; and his in-laws, Barbara Donadee, Scott and Julie Sittig, and Michael Dunn.

He will be deeply missed by his mother, Janet Donadee; his wife of 37 years, Karen Donadee; his sons, Tommy (Savannah) Donadee and Jake (Morgan Donithan) Donadee; his brothers, Richard Donadee and John (Brenda) Donadee; his sisters-in-law, Katie (Bill) Haas and Suzy (Nick) Manos; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, January 3rd, from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a service, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home Boardman-Canfield Chapel, 3701 Starr Center Drive, Canfield, Ohio.

The family requests that material tributes take the form of donations to the Boardman Professional Firefighters Local 1176 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3831, Boardman, OH 44512.

This obituary can be viewed and condolences sent to www.higgins-reardon.com.