Obituary for John J. Doonan
John J. Doonan passed away peacefully on January 4, 2022. John is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, his son Chris and his wife Sandy, his daughter Jocelyn and her husband Jim. John is also survived by his grandchildren, Sean, Sara and Jimmy. John spent his 50 plus working years as a professional in the Information Technology field. He had the opportunity to participate in the development of software systems and communications networks which would provide some of the basics for the sophisticated (and vastly miniaturized) systems of today's world.
During many of those years he also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Studies at Rockland Community College and SUNY Purchase. Most recently he was able to continue to share his interest and knowledge in this field as a volunteer at the Bronxville Public Library. Until the Covid-19 Pandemic changed many lives in 2020, he provided basic introductions, techniques and technical assistance for various applications, especially to seniors, for whom the computer is foreign territory.
John has been a member of the NYAC for over 37 years and in 2005 John was elected as Commodore after having served both as a member of the Executive Committee and on the Flag as Treasurer. While serving as Commodore, John and his Flag had the opportunity to be actively involved in bringing the dredging project to completion and in the establishment of the Junior Sailing Program, now in its fifteenth year. When asked, he says without hesitation that these count as the most important accomplishments during his two years as Commodore.
Although Technology continued to be rewarding to John, it is a distant second to his real passion - Sailing. He and his First Mate Barbara (aka his first wife, of 64 years) enjoyed sailing together on Long Island Sound during the season for many years, and as often as possible in the winter months extended their sailing to the Virgin Islands. John and Barbara have also both served as Race Committee members. However, after sailing for more than 40 years they sold their Beneteau 38 Rule One III in 2017 and discovered cruising on big ships to be a darn good substitute.
A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.
During many of those years he also taught as an Adjunct Professor of Computer Studies at Rockland Community College and SUNY Purchase. Most recently he was able to continue to share his interest and knowledge in this field as a volunteer at the Bronxville Public Library. Until the Covid-19 Pandemic changed many lives in 2020, he provided basic introductions, techniques and technical assistance for various applications, especially to seniors, for whom the computer is foreign territory.
John has been a member of the NYAC for over 37 years and in 2005 John was elected as Commodore after having served both as a member of the Executive Committee and on the Flag as Treasurer. While serving as Commodore, John and his Flag had the opportunity to be actively involved in bringing the dredging project to completion and in the establishment of the Junior Sailing Program, now in its fifteenth year. When asked, he says without hesitation that these count as the most important accomplishments during his two years as Commodore.
Although Technology continued to be rewarding to John, it is a distant second to his real passion - Sailing. He and his First Mate Barbara (aka his first wife, of 64 years) enjoyed sailing together on Long Island Sound during the season for many years, and as often as possible in the winter months extended their sailing to the Virgin Islands. John and Barbara have also both served as Race Committee members. However, after sailing for more than 40 years they sold their Beneteau 38 Rule One III in 2017 and discovered cruising on big ships to be a darn good substitute.
A celebration of his life will take place at a later date.