Services for Longtime Integrity Leader Larry James Donoghue

Larry James Donoghue

Priest

March 18, 1941 – March 9, 2011

Holy Eucharist with Burial of the Dead

Thursday, March 17, 11:00 am

At St. Andrew’s

Denver, CO

Bishop O’Neill Presiding

Dear Friends,

 We will gather here next week with many friends from the diocese to remember Larry and celebrate his life. A reception will follow in the undercroft; details will come later about how to participate in the potluck. Please remember Larry in your prayers, and pray for Bob.

For many GLBT Episcopalians and their families in Colorado, Larry Donoghue was among the first to provide a welcome. Larry was for a time in the early 90’s the convenor of the Colorado Integrity chapter. In his work there as in all he did, he was instrumental in providing continuing hope that things might change for GLBT Episcopalians, and was always in the forefront of that effort in Colorado. Probably his most far-reaching (and far-seeing) contribution to change was in spearheading the foundation of the Richard Hooker Forum in the mid 1990’s, along with a group of other clergy and laity who were committed to ensuring the full expression of moderate and progressive voices in Colorado.

Larry became the vicar of St. Laurence, Conifer. CO in March 1981. He was instrumental in its progress to parish status and was part of the purchase of the beautiful property the parish now occupies. After his retirement in 2000, he became a parishioner at St. Andrew’s Denver. He continued his leadership of the Hooker Forum for several years after retirement, and also served frequently at Sunday Eucharists at St. Francis Center, the Episcopal day shelter for homeless persons in Denver. He loved to travel and adventured happily all over the world.

Larry had a quiet way which belied his reach as a priest, a fighter for change, and as a person. Many have had the experience, over and over – talking with someone from another part of the diocese or even another part of the country, mentioning Larry’s name, and finding that he was an important part of their story. As priest, counselor, advocate, and friend, Larry was part of turning points in so many people’s lives. To quote one of those many friends of his, our lives would have been much the poorer without him.

Ronald Ramey