James A. Donohoe III, Chair of Donohoe Companies, Dies at 68

James A. Donohoe III, 68, chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of real estate company The Donohoe Companies, Inc. and the Federal Center Plaza Corporation, died of cancer on Nov. 4 at his home in Bethesda, according to a statement from The Donohoe Companies, Inc.

"Jim’s death is a loss for all who considered him a close friend and colleague at The Donohoe Companies. The entire company will miss his generosity and leadership and we pass on our condolences and support to the Donohoe family,” Donohoe President and COO Chris Bruch said.

From a company statement:

"Donohoe had spent his entire career with The Donohoe Companies, Inc., a family real estate, development and construction business which his great-grandfather founded in 1884. Jim joined the company as a summer construction laborer and worked his way through various positions in the company’s five divisions to eventually succeed his uncle, Dick Donohoe, as president in 1987."

"Under Jim’s leadership and direction, the company and its divisions has been consistently included in the list of The Washington Business Journal’s Top 50 Private Companies. With Jim’s guidance, a succession plan has been underway and the company remains a family legacy with numerous members of the fourth and fifth generation of Donohoes in top positions."

"A long-time Bethesda resident, Mr. Donohoe enjoyed spending weekends at a family home in Banks O’Dee, MD, and boating on the Potomac River. He was well-respected in business circles, and uniformly known for his entirely positive outlook and gregarious personality. He supported a variety of charities and served on the Board of Trustees of St. John’s College High School and The Catholic University. He was a member of Congressional Country Club."

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Mary Jo Grimm Donohoe of Bethesda, Banks O’Dee, MD, and Delray, FL; two children—James A. Donohoe IV (and his wife, Michelle) of Washington, DC, and Maurian Donohoe Dubinsky (and her husband, Brad) of Bethesda; two brothers—D. Patrick Donohoe of Chevy Chase and Robert B. Donohoe (and his wife, Sharon) of Bethesda; two sisters—Virginia Donohoe McHugh (and her husband, John) of Chevy Chase and Rosemary Donohoe Collopy (and her husband, Daniel) of DC, and three beloved grandchildren.