Sunday
Jan192025
In Remembrance of Mike Donahue
Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 12:00PM It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of retired Price Waterhouse and Co. (PW) partner, Michael “Mike” Donahue. Mike passed away on January 14, 2025, at the age of 74.
He was an esteemed member of our PwC family and will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Born on August 18, 1950, in Beckley, West Virginia, Mike joined PW in 1984. He was admitted to the partnership in 1991 and retired in 2009.
Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from Towson University, a Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance from Loyola University and a Master of Science (MS) degree in Information Systems from George Washington University.
Prior to joining PW, Mike supported the US House of Representatives as an Information Systems Audit Manager with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) for eight years, where he received many awards for his contributions to the federal information systems arena. During his time at GAO, Mike co-authored one of the earliest guidelines on auditing Federal information systems, published in 1980 and used by Executive Branch Federal Inspector General offices.
Mike joined PW’s Office of Government Services (OGS) in Washington, D.C. as an MCS Manager in 1984. As a Senior Manager, Mike was instrumental in forming a federal information systems audit team to support both consulting and auditing clients, with the key support from many partners. He was transferred to the New York office and, from 1991 until 1998, he served as the Information Systems Audit Partner for the New Jersey Group. He served manufacturing clients out of the Princeton, Hackensack, and Morristown offices and many other clients throughout New York and the Northeast Region.
In 1995, Mike was selected to lead the IT Controls Team for the first ever Financial and Performance Audit of the US House of Representatives. This financial audit was part of Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s “Contract with America”. A multi-disciplined team of nearly 100 financial auditors and technical specialists successfully reviewed the House over a three-year period. In 1998, as result of the PW merger with Coopers and Lybrand, Mike was asked to transfer back to OGS to continue supporting financial audits and advisory clients in the federal arena. He continued in this role until his retirement in 2009.
Mike retired from the US Navy Reserve in 1991, with 23 years of active and reserve duty during the Vietnam and 1991 Gulf War/Desert Storm eras. He was especially proud of his “mustang” status, having eight years enlisted and 15 years commissioned service, and being promoted over the 23 years from Seaman Recruit to Commander. He was a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and the Association of the United States Navy (AUSN).
From 1993 to 1994, Mike served as the International President of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association/Foundation (ISACA/F), after serving as the Executive Vice President, Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Certification, Vice President of Research and many other positions over a 12-year period. Mike’s many fond memories of his service to the information systems community included his many travels around the world meeting with members of the Association and sharing experiences. Mike was the recipient of the ISACA DC Chapter 2014 V. Lee Conyers Award for his contributions to the Association and the IT Assurance, Control, Security, and Governance Profession. Mike was also the recipient of the ISACA NY Chapter 1996 Joseph J. Wasserman Memorial Award, the ISACA 1996 Eugene M. Frank Award for Meritorious Service and the ISACA 1997 John Lainhart Common Body of Knowledge Award. He has a lifetime membership with ISACA.
During his first ten years of retirement, Mike served and chaired several community association committees and volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, responding to local fires, hurricanes and other disasters. As a USO volunteer, Mike worked one day a week supporting the military at the USO Lounge at the Baltimore Washington International Airport. He especially enjoyed and was honored to support hundreds of military members coming home on military flights from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. They visited the USO Lounge to eat, sleep, or wait for connecting flights to their homes and families.
Mike was active on the Towson University’s College of Business and Economics (CBE) Advisory Board and served as its Chair for several years. In 2010, he was asked by the Dean to serve as the CBE Executive in Residence, where he supported curriculum strategy and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation initiatives. Mike was also an adjunct professor for seven years, teaching a junior level course on information systems. Mike received the 2003 College of Business and Economics Dean’s Recognition Award for his contributions to the college.
As a Founding Member of the Golf Club at South River in Edgewater, Maryland, Mike enjoyed the many challenges on the golf course. He enjoyed retirement, family gatherings, and traveling around the country in his Airstream motorhome, including a 5,800-mile trip to Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota in 2024.
Mike is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Donahue, his son Gregory Donahue and his wife Danielle (Gaithersburg, Maryland), his daughter Megan Hanna and her husband Mike (Lafayette Hill, PA), his five grandchildren, Shaelin Donahue, identical twins Colton and Desmond Donahue, and identical twins Sloane and Delaney Hanna; and his sister, Pamela Wilson and her husband David (Kansas City, MO). He was uncle and great uncle to 18 nieces and nephews.
Military funeral services will be held at a later date and are private. Condolences can be sent to Linda C. Donahue, 3500 Old Trail, Edgewater, Maryland 21037.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Team Cure Cholangio.
Please join us in remembering and celebrating the life of Michael Donahue, whose legacy will continue to inspire us all.
