Michael D. Donahue, who had a passion for fireworks, served in the United States Army in explosive ordnance disposal and as a combat engineer.
He died on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. He was 70.

Also known as Manard and Red Machine, his family wrote in a tribute, “Mike’s interests besides his family and friends were providing beautiful firework displays at gatherings. He was an avid toy, DVD, and comic-book collector. All who knew him will miss his dry humor and his kind generous ways.”

 A longtime resident of Bozenkill Road in Knox, he recently lived in Guilderland.

Born on Feb. 24, 1953 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Daniel F. Donahue and Virginia T. (née McGrail) Donahue.

“Michael was mostly raised in Maryland from a military upbringing,” his family wrote. Later, in 1974, he joined the Army, and finally resided at the family homestead in Knox.

In 1972, he graduated from high school in Bladensburg, Maryland. “While in high school, he played football and was a strong shot putter,” his family wrote. “Here is where Mike forged a lifelong friendship with Dave Libertore and many others.

“Mike retired from the Office of the State Comptroller. Prior to the 20 years of state employment, Mike had secured his dream job with Empire Fireworks for several years.

“While in the Army for nearly 10 years, Mike found his niche in ‘Explosive Ordnance Disposal,’ and ‘Combat Engineer.’ As a soldier, Mike was sent to many faraway places, one being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

“While on this mission, he was charged with the cleanup of radiation on Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands by removing plutonium-contaminated soil. Other missions included travel to Korea and Hawaii among other places.

“Michael was a spiritual kind of a person who believed we were not the only ones in this universe.

“He enjoyed many interests and hobbies: stained-glass creations, coin-collecting, model-building, battle reenactments, and reading comic books and newspapers.

“Most of all, his greatest passion was fireworks: Creating, lighting, exploding colorful fireworks that captivated crowds of onlookers was his real love.”

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Michael D. Donahue is survived by his siblings: Daniel “Dan” Donahue and his wife, Diana; Virginia “Ginny” Zenefski and her husband, Steve; Patrick “Pat” Donahue and his wife, Pam; Kathy Stempel and her husband, Brian; and Mary Donahue.

He is also survived by his nephews and nieces: Shannon Darish and Andy Donahue, Chris Zenefski, Shauna Donahue-Chapman and Jon Donahue, Avery Stempel, Nate Stempel and Molly Kozer, Danette Carll.

His grandparents and parents died before him.

“At one time, Mike had 41 first cousins,” his family wrote. “Very special thanks to Candice Celani for her love, loyalty, and friendship to Michael that had bonded them for many decades.”

Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices Inc.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a service at the gravesite on Saturday, Sept. 9, beginning at 11 a.m. in the High Point Cemetery in Knox, located on Old Stage Road at the intersection of Route 156 (Berne-Altamont Road).