A memorial service for Francis M. Donahue, a 22-year Westbrook police officer and city councilor, will be held this Saturday, Aug. 8, at Most Holy Trinity in Saco.

Donahue, who died July 16, is credited with developing the Westbrook Rescue Unit, the first in the city, in 1969.

Donahue’s tenure at the Westbrook Police Department spanned 1962-1984. A friend and fellow retired officer, City Councilor Mike Sanphy, said last week that before the rescue unit was created, the department had only rudimentary skills in rescue situations.

“It was a great thing, because before we had that, we had station wagons,” Sanphy said, referring to the limited capabilities of the department. “The police department was the rescue service. We had first aid and that was about it.”

There is a plaque at the Westbrook Public Safety building that recognizes Donahue and fellow police Officer Jim Farrell for their work in founding the program.

Sanphy said he was a rookie in 1968, and worked with Donahue until Donahue retired in 1984.

“He was a nice, nice man and great to work with,” he said.

According to obituary information provided by his family, Donahue died after a brief fight with pancreatic cancer. He was a Portland native, growing up on Munjoy Hill. He discovered his interest in law enforcement while working at the Boston State Men’s Hospital, and returned to Maine, joining the Maine National Guard as a tank driver.

During his career at Westbrook police, he had six children with his wife, Carol.

Donahue was also heavily involved in other aspects of the community. According to the obituary, he also helped form the Westbrook Credit Union, and was a city councilor for one term. He was a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Portland, the Irish American Club, and the SHARE program and the Knights of Columbus with the Catholic Church. He also volunteered for 10 years at Southern Maine Medical Center.

Carol Donahue died in 1990, and in 1994, Donahue married Priscilla Pinette. He is survived by Pinette and his six children.

His daughter, Michaela, said Tuesday that Donahue would always try to help.

“Dad really did try to solve things he saw that needed help,” she said, referring to his numerous community roles. She said the Westbrook Credit Union, which was the city’s first, is now Infiniti Credit Union. “He saw things that needed to be done and did them.”

According to the obituary, Donahue donated his body to the University of New England’s School of Medicine. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to a charity of one’s choice.

During his days as a Westbrook patrolman, Frank Donahue was credited with starting the city’s first rescue unit. Courtesy photo

Copy the Story Link