SAVANNAH, GEORGIA - James Donahue, 70, of Savannah, Georgia, husband of Anne Marie Flanagan Donahue, died Thursday afternoon, January 20, 2011, at Memorial University Medical Center.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of the late John and Ann Donahue. He relocated to southern California where he lived and worked in Orange County. Mr. Donahue was a United States Navy veteran having served for 4 years. He worked in the automotive business for 45 years managing dealerships and owning his own wholesale business. He ended his auto career as owner and CEO of Nickel Rent A Car in Costa Mesa, California. He started a second career in the entertainment business as a background artist appearing in many movies and TV shows.

He was a devout catholic and was active in his church – St. Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach and St. James Catholic Church in Savannah. Mr. Donahue was a Eucharistic Minister to the Sick and participated in feeding the hungry at Inner City Night Shelter.

He retired to The Landings on Skidaway Island where he was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing poker, visits to the Fitness Center and working in his garden.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Woods, and one brother, Frank Donahue.

Surviving are his wife, Anne Marie Flanagan Donahue of Savannah; one daughter, Deborah Sandoval and her husband, Thomas, of California; one son, James C. Donahue of California; four grandchildren, Jessie Donahue, Jordan Donahue, Kirsten Horning and Travis Horning; one brother, John Donahue and his wife, Sarah, of Milford, Pennsylvania; three sisters-in-law, Theresa Donahue, Eileen McKusker and Marguerite Fahey; two brothers-in-law, Thomas Flanagan and Ed Flanagan, and twenty-eight nieces and nephews and their spouses.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon and from 6 until 8 o’clock Sunday evening at Gamble Funeral Service, 410 Stephenson Avenue, with the Rosary being held at 7 o’clock Sunday evening in the funeral home chapel.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 o'clock Monday morning in St. James Catholic Church conducted by Father David Koetter. Interment will be in the Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial Health University Medical Center – 4700 Waters Avenue, Savannah, Georgia 31404.