Joseph W. Donner ’49

Joe died July 13, 2023. He was an active and dedicated member of the Class of ’49, regularly attending Reunions, participating in fundraising. and keeping in touch with members of the class over the years.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., Joe attended St. Paul’s School and served in the Navy from September 1945 until August 1946 before arriving on campus. He majored in history, graduted with high honors, joined Colonial Club, rowed on the 150-pound crew, belonged to the Orange Key and Right Wing clubs, and was a founding member of the Tigertones.

Upon graduation, he spent a year at Harvard Law School, got married, worked in Athens for the State Department, and came back to the United States to enter the world of Wall Street. He spent most of his career working with C.J. Lawrence & Co. stockbrokers. He also served as a director of the Donner Foundation starting in 1954.

Joe married Pamela Cushing in December 1950 and had four children: Alex ’75, Belinda (who died Aug. 8, 2014), Timothy, and Joseph III. (Alex is perhaps the best known of the four, a New York-based musician and bandleader.) We  offer condolences to Pamela and the children.