Whitney Pier
Donnie Drohan, age 66, of Whitney Pier, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born in Sydney, Donnie was the son of the late Mary Bridget (O’Rourke) Drohan and Charlie Drohan of Sydney. Donnie was a lifetime resident of Whitney Pier and loved to admire the tranquil and peaceful view from his home overlooking the water and hills.
Donnie was a graduate of Sydney Academy and St. Francis Xavier University. He retired from the Canada Revenue Agency and enjoyed 14 years of retirement in the beautiful setting of his neighbourhood surrounded by his dear friends, family, and fellow Hab fans. Donnie was well known as a passionate Montreal Canadians fan and traveled yearly to visit and cheer on his team. Many family and friend gatherings were celebrated in his “Habs Shrine” that was developed over the years in his basement. Donnie also had a passion for the Boston Red Sox and traveled frequently to cheer on the Liverpool Soccer Club in England.
In addition to being a fan, Donnie excelled at playing hockey and baseball in his younger years and continued to participate in recreational sports in later years.
Donnie had a dry sense of humour and a dedication to family. Donnie loved animals and took joy in their care. Donnie will be dearly missed by his close childhood friends, neighbourhood friends, former colleagues, and family.
Donnie is survived by his sister, Patricia (Donnie Miller); brothers, Ray, Chuck (Pat), Jerry (Arlene), and Terry; aunts, Bonnie (Gordie MacDonald) and Pat (Mickey, deceased) Drohan; sister-in-law, Nancy Drohan; brother-in-law, Sandy McNabb; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Donnie was predeceased by sister, Anne Marie (Sandy McNabb), brother, Al, and his special niece, Sara.
At the request of Donnie, there will be no visitation. Memorial Service will be celebrated on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Holy Redeemer Church, Whitney Pier with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Covid restriction of 100 attendees will be permitted following NS health protocols and for those unable to attend, live streaming will be available on the Holy Redeemer Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Donnie’s memory may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Bonnie, Nancy and all other family members, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad and difficult time. RIP Donnie
From: Josephine Mac Neil, Big Pond
Trish, Donnie and the Drohan family, I am so sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From: Bev Power
So very sorry to hear about Donnie. We worked together at Revenue Canada for many years. He was one of the good guys – always quick with a laugh or a sports story and a go-to guy for work related questions. How fitting that he was able to see his beloved Canadiens in the Stanley Cup final. I would have loved to hear his analysis and his predictions for next year. Rest in Peace my old friend. Gone way too soon.
From: James Edwards
Our sincere condolences to the Drohan family. We were so sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing and just found out today after being away. Donnie was such a nice person – I remember talking to Donnie lots of times on Charlotte Street when leaving work at the Citizenship office. My husband Donnie was talking about how close his brother, Doug and Donnie were through the years. I truly believe they are together again, joking around and talking about old times. May happy memories help to comfort you all through difficult times ahead.
Sincerely, Rose and Donnie Courage
From: Rose and Donnie Courage
Chuck and Patsy
This has been a hard time for you and the family. Sending much love and prayers for peace to Donnie and strength to the family.
From: Joanne Kelly
Dear Chuck , Patsy , and the Drohan Families ,
I am so , so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother , Donnie . My love and sympathies go out to “ The Drohan’s “ . Prayers and thoughts are being sent your way .
Love , Heather E. Skinner
From: HEATHER SKINNER
To Chuck & the Drohan Family; I am very sorry & sad to hear of the passing of Donnie. Don was a great friend & positive influence on my life growing up in Whitney Pier. He was always encouraging in sports & life in general. Even as a young boy I always looked up to Don. It was easy to determine that there was something special about Donnie … like an aura of a Godly spirit. I know that God has his arms around you Donnie … enjoy the peaceful kingdom.
From: John Mac Donald
Very sorry for your loss Our prayers are with you.
From: Tommy and Charmaine Stevens
Very sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, Chuck.
From: Carla Lisa DiGiorgio
So sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Donnie was my team leader at CRA and was a very fair and considerate boss. His door was always open and he was always eager to help. Donnie was one of the good ones for sure. My thoughts and prayers are with the Family at this difficult time. RIP
From: Shirley Bonnell
My sincere condolences to the Drohan family on Donnie’s passing.
From: Joe Black
So sorry for your loss
Sending hugs and prayers to everyone
To the Drohan family,
Donnie was a great guy. So very sorry for your loss.
Condolences to the family, sending prayers and love.
Condolences to The Drohan Family . So sorry to hear about your loss . Gary and Wanda Nagle
To all the members of the Drohan family, we pass on our deepest condolences,. May he rest in peace.
Joe and Barb Collins
So sorry for your loss.
So shocked to hear about this.Donnie and I were friends for many years, and hung out with the same friends. Donnie was one of the nicest and kindest people I have ever known. His great sense of humor and love of music will live on with his friends and family . Truly , he made the world a better place. Rest in peace, my friend. Condolences to his family!
Dear Chuck And family ,My sincere condolences on the passing of your brother Donnie. Your are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Martha
We are so sorry to hear of Donnie,s passing,we had many great trips to Montreal with Donnie,and Montreal will not be the same,Deepest Condolences to his family,friends and close neighbors,May you Rest In Peace.
Terry, So sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers for you and your family
Dear Drohan family:
Please accept our sincere sympathy and deep regret on the passing of Donnie. We send our thoughts and prayers to the entire family. Donnie will be truly missed by his family and friends.
Dave and Mary French and family
To all the Drohan family, my deepest condolences. Donnie was a sweetheart and always treated everyone the same….I miss seeing him walking along Victoria Rd……RIP Donnie, you will be missed
To the Drohan family, I am so sorry to read of Donnie’s passing. He truly was a great guy. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I grew up with Donnie and he was an intelligent and knowledgeable friend to many. A Montreal fan through and through. Memories of him playing hockey and baseball will always be with me. I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. To all of Donnie’s family and friends, please accept my sincere condolences. Rest In Peace Donnie.
Sending our love & prayers to the Drohan family. Wishing you strengrh for the days to come.
So very sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Donnie for many, many years. He was one of the good guys; a stand up guy; the guy you went to when you needed the right answer; and when you got to know him well….he was a funny guy. Loved his laugh! May he be resting peacefully with loved ones.
So sorry to hear about Donnie. He was such a great guy and i was lucky to be a co-worker and friend of his for many years.
Please accept our deepest condolence with the loss of our friend and neighbor Donnie. He will be missed so much
Billy & Cheryl Neville
My thoughts and most sincere sympathies are extended to all family members and friends. I was a good friend of Donnie’s since I was a young boy. Enjoyed our frequent chats while he was out on his walks through the Pier. An avid hockey and baseball player. And a great Habs fan. I’ll miss ya Donnie.
Donnie was a great guy and great friend, rest in peace.
Our sincere sympathy to all of Donnie’s family, we will miss him immensely, our neighborhood will never be the same. RIP friend, we will meet again some day.
I am so sorry to hear about Donnie’s passing. We worked together for more than 20 years. He was such a trustworthy guy, with a great sense of humour. I am glad that he had a good retirement.
So sorry all of you for your loss
Sad news condolences to all the Drohan Family . Peace and prayers to Donnie ..
So sorry!
Ray and the entire Drohan Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending healing prayers and warm thoughts your way. Take care of one another. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Jane MacNeil
Ray, Chuck, Jerry, Patricia, Terry, & family, please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your brother Donnie, our prayers & thoughts our with you all at this difficult time,
Jim & Phyllis MacLean
Rest in peace Donnie. A great person and friend gone too soon.
Chuck and Patsy & the entire Drohan family,
So very sorry on the passing of Donnie. He was such a nice guy .
Sincere condolences from Kenny and I and the Joseph family .
To the Drohan Family. Our sincere condolences on the passing of Donnie. Out thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time
Chuck & Terry,
Sincere condolences on the loss of your much loved brother. Cherish your many wonderful memories.
Marie & Ray Oake
Sorry for your loss,
Our prayers are with you
Steve and Tanya
To the Drohan Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Donnie for many years and he was so respected by his co-workers. He was a great person, very kind, had a great sense of humor and was always a gentleman. We missed him very much when he retired.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.
Dear Ray, Chuck, Jerry , Terry and Patricia sending our condolences to you and your family. I looked forward to Donnie’s annual visits in Montreal with his CB gang . There was never a dull moment. May your good memories bring you comfort during this sad and difficult time.
To the Drohan family. We are so saddened to hear of Donnie’s passing. Ours thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Terry and family
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your brother. May he Rest In Peace.
My deepest condolences to Donnie’s family and friends on your loss, my thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.
Jerry and Arlene, Heartfelt condolences as you journey through this difficult time.
Chuck and family we are so sorry to hear of Donnie passing our condolences to your family. May Donnie Rest In Peace
Dear Ray, Chuck, Jerry, Terry, and Patricia, sending our condolences to you and your family. I looked forward to Donnie’s annual visits to Montreal with his CB gang. There was never a dull moment. May your good memories bring you comfort during this sad and difficult time.
To Donnie’s siblings and their families. My sincere condolences on the loss of Donnie. The Pier has truly lost a real gentleman. I can honestly say I have never seen Donnie where he wasn’t always happy to see you. I know the Drohan family are proud of their brother. My he rest in peace.
Sending our sincere condolences to all of you in the passing of your Brother/Uncle and our Great Friend and Neighbor. Donnie was a Terrific Guy who will certainly be missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of knowing him. Rest in peace my friend, until we meet around the fire again.
To the Drohan family.
So sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. He was a gentle soul and a great “Pier Guy”. May he rest in peace.
To the Drohan Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. I played a lot of sports against Donnie and Al. Although the games were often intense, we all went to the Thistle afterwards for a drink. Great memories. Rest in peace, Donnie.
So very sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jerry and family. I was very saddened to hear of the passing of your brother. It must be very painful to lose a sibling. My thoughts are with you. Stay strong and continue to share the love he shared with you ❤️
To the Drohan family our sincere condolences. Donnie was a great guy and we shared many a laugh over the years. Our yearly trip to Montreal to see the Habs will not be the same without him. God Bless
Chuck, Pat and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. Thinking of you all at this time. May he Rest In Peace.
We are deeply sorry to hear of Donnie’s passing. Please accept our condolences and may our prayers help comfort you at this very difficult time. God Bless
I was saddened to hear of Donnie’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to the Drohan family during this difficult time.
Dear Drohan Family,
Our deepest sympathies on the death of your brother Donnie. Your loss is great. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jean and Robert Proctor
Jerry and the Drohan family:
I was saddened to hear of Donnie’s passing.
My thoughts are with you all at this time of loss.
Donnie was a kind and sweet person.
My heartfelt condolences to all of Charlie and Bride’s family, as well as Bonnie and Gordie, and all of the other family and friends of Donnie. There can never be a death between any of us. I send you all love, and my thoughts are with you.
Dear Ray,
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. Sending our condolences to you and your family. Brenda and Allan
To the Drohan family,
Sincere condolences to you on the loss of Donnie. I went through my school years and St. F.X with Donnie and I can honestly say that he was a true gentleman and a great guy. May he Rest In Peace.
Pat and Theresa Kennedy
To all the Drohan family, my sincere condolences on the loss of Donnie. I remember Donnie from sports, school and a member of our Pier community – always a great teammate, schoolmate and most of all a class act. He will be remembered by many and may his memories help you during this difficult time. Mike and Jo-Ann Peck
To the Drohan family, my sincerest condolences on the loss of Donnie. I worked with Don for a very long time. He was an excellent colleague and a great asset to Revenue Canada. He will be missed by his family, friends and co-workers. His reputation and and how he treated others will be remembered by many.
To the Drohan Family, Our deepest sympathies to the family on Donnie’s passing. We both worked with him for many years at CRA and he was my Team Leader (Brian’s) for a few years. He was very well-respected, extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. I had the pleasure of playing both hockey and slo-pitch with him (Wendy also played mixed slo-pitch with him) for the Sydney team at a few CRA tourneys—–he was a great athlete too. Gone far too soon; rest in peace my friend. Brian & Wendy McPhee