Former Braves co-owner dies in Barrington; sold team to Ted Turner
A memorial service will be held next month for the former co-owner and president of the Atlanta Braves who helped facilitate the 1976 sale of the team to Ted Turner.
Daniel Donahue lived in Barrington for more than 60 years, even while serving as chief operating officer of the Braves. He died March 20 at the age of 91.
"He helped us build a terrific organization in Atlanta," said Bill Bartholomay, chairman emeritus of the Braves. "As president, he had all the extra responsibilities, from working with talent and the general manager to negotiating leases and helping us sell the ballclub to the Atlanta community."
"He did everything but play the game," Bartholomay added. "He made my job as chairman a lot easier, I can tell you that."
Donahue grew up in Lowell, Massachusetts, and earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College before attaining a law degree from Boston University.
A pivotal moment in his childhood came in 1935, when an uncle took him to his first Major League game. They watched the Boston Braves in action and the team's newest free agent, Babe Ruth.
Donahue's love of baseball would come full circle during his years with the Milwaukee Braves and then the Atlanta Braves. Reportedly he was in the owners box to see Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run and beat Ruth's 39-year old record.
"He absolutely adored baseball," said his wife, Marilyn. "Going to the games and being a part of baseball was what he loved most."
Before his career in baseball, Donahue carved out a niche in the early private equity industry in Chicago. After working as a consultant for Booze-Allen & Hamilton, and later for the Susquehanna Corp., he started LaSalle Street Capital with business colleague George Jensen.
Together, they were among the first firms to specialize in providing long-term debt and equity investments to high-risk small businesses. As the firm grew, it recruited some of Chicago's top business leaders to join its board, including Bartholomay.
A group of these investors, including Donahue, bought the Milwaukee Braves in 1962 from the Perini Corp. After watching attendance drop, Donahue would play a pivotal role behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for the team's historic move to Atlanta in 1966.
"Everyone liked him," Bartholomay added. "The players and front office liked him because he was there, he was accessible. But it was his work ethic that everyone respected."
Besides his wife, Donahue is survived by his children, Peter L. Donahue (Marilyn), Paula Kaeble (Christopher) and Dorian Wichman (Christopher), as well as 10 grandchildren.
A memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. May 15 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 120 Ela St. in Barrington.