Page 12 - Work Force September 2025

Tributes to Danny
Publisher’s Note: Here are just a few of the many tributes about Danny Donohue from CSEA members, elected officials and labor leaders collected from social media and the condolences page on the website of the funeral home at which his services were privately held. More tributes were coming in as this edition went to press.
“Danny Donohue was one of the most gifted and effective labor leaders New York has ever seen, and his friendship and support always meant so much to me. My condolences are with his wife, Irene, his family, and the countless other New Yorkers who are better off because of Danny.”
— State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli
“[Danny] was always available to members and I remember talking to him about CSEA supporting LGBTQ issues. He was an ally and said anything we do has to be member driven and we have LGBTQ members, so drive.”
— Bess Watts, CSEA LGBTQ Committee member and Rochester Retirees Local activist
“May the Leprechauns be near you, the angels protect you and heaven accept you. Rest easy, my friend! R.I.P.”
— Colleen Wheaton, former Central Region President and St. Lawrence Retirees Local President
“What a wonderful man, leader and storyteller. He had the ability to make any and everyone feel welcomed and appreciated.”
— Betty McLaughlin, Capital District Retirees Local 999 member and former state Department of Labor Local President
“Danny was a tireless and passionate advocate who always
put the needs of his members first. His larger-than-life personality
was a perfect match for his deep commitment to the people he served. Danny will be profoundly missed.”
— NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento
“I will greatly miss our camaraderie as union brothers and leaders. It was a privilege to serve our membership under his guidance. He will be deeply missed, but his impactful legacy as a labor union leader will endure. R.I.P., my union brother and friend.”
— Patrick Hahn, CSEA Suffolk Area Retirees Local members and former Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local President
He instilled confidence in so many people, including myself, to fight hard for our union members.”
— Meg Shutka, Suffolk Retirees Local 920 2nd
Vice President
“Your leadership
inspired me to become a CSEA leader. You always made time
to talk with everyone and listen.”
— Brian Ossont, state
Transpor tation, Region 4
(Rochester) Local President
“Danny, I recall
meeting you in Brooklyn
during a rally. You pulled me
to the side and whispered to me, ‘young lady, you are a troublemaker,’ only because of my fighting spirit to keep my health facility from closing. R.I.P., Danny. May your fighting spirit continue to live on!”
— Althea Green, former SUNY Downstate Local President
“For over 40 years, Danny Donohue fought tirelessly for working people, serving 26 historic years as president of CSEA Local 1000. He never gave up. He never backed down. We’re keeping his family and loved ones in our hearts during this difficult time.”
— Gov. Kathy Hochul
“As one of the Region Presidents, I spent a lot of time at CSEA meetings and I always admired his wit and conduct when chairing a convention,
a meeting or talking to members! Danny’s legacy will be
remembered amongst CSEA and members
for a long time!”
— Nick LaMorte, former CSEA Long Island Region President
“My prayers are with Danny’s family during
this difficult time. May he
rest in peace and fly high
with the angels.”
— Former Capital Region President Kathy Garrison
“Danny Donohue was a tireless fighter for labor in New York, serving and working to advance workers’ rights for decades. My thoughts are with his family, loved ones and the entire CSEA Local 1000 and labor community.”
— NYS Attorney General Letitia James
“I met Danny over 40 years
ago when I was a union delegate.
He impressed me with his wit, compassion and a profound concern for CSEA and its members. However, his polar star was the love for his family. My heartfelt condolences to his
family.” — Vincent Martusciello, former Metropolitan Region Executive Vice President
“Danny was one of the proudest trade unionists I’ve ever known, whose leadership and unwavering commitment to justice left a profound, lasting mark on AFSCME and the labor movement ... More than any title he held, Danny was a fighter – for CSEA members, for the entire AFSCME family, for all working people. His leadership was important to AFSCME and the entire labor movement.”
— AFSCME International President Lee Saunders
“Thank you for your leadership, mentorship, guidance and knowledge, and above all for your friendship. May you rest in peace, Boss!”
— Central Region President Kenny Greenleaf
“He was very approachable. I loved his honesty, and he was a feisty, funny and mater of fact type of guy.”
— Pilgrim Psychiatric Center Local President Arnold Jones
“Danny was a mentor for me
like he was for so many of you. His encouragement and guidance were constants in my life, from my first years working at SUNY New Paltz up until his passing ... I will forever be indebted for him taking a chance on a kid who came up from the city to New Paltz and setting me on the path to union leadership.”
— Southern Region President Anthony Adamo
Photo caption: Former CSEA President Danny Donohue acknowledges delegates at the 2024 Annual Delegates Meeting.
12 The Work Force
September 2025