Pat M. Donofrio
Funeral services were held February 26 for retired Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Pat M. Donofrio, who previously served on the Macomb County Circuit Court bench. Donofrio died Feb. 11 at the age of 80.
Family members said Donofrio “loved his family dearly, his Catholic faith, playing and watching golf.
“Not only was Pat a mentor to many but a man who left a lasting impression on those he met. He was never short on advice and when asked he would dedicate a lot of time and thought ensuring that he could provide the best guidance possible.
“He was and always will be greatly loved by his family, friends and everyone lucky enough to be graced by his presence.”
Donofrio graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor of science degree in 1967 and, three years later, graduated from WSU Law School. He immediately started a private practice and, in 1974, was a founding member of the law firm of Romain, Donofrio, Kuck, & Egerer PC.
Donofrio was serving as that firm’s president at the time he was named to the circuit court bench in 1997. He was elected the following year and served on the Mt. Clemens court until he was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2002.
During his time on the circuit court bench, Donofrio served as the presiding judge of the civil/criminal division.
He was elected to the appellate bench in 2004, reelected in 2010 and served until 2013 when he was appointed to the Michigan Court of Clams for a two-year term.
Donofrio retired from the Michigan Court of Appeals in September 2015.
During his time in private practice, Donofrio was also a professional arbiter and mediator for many years and was a professional facilitator for three years.
He served on the Michigan Supreme Court Task Force on Trial Court Performance Standards as well as the Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions.
A member of the Michigan Judges Association and the American Judges Association, Donofrio served as chairman of the Court of Appeals settlement committee and as a member of the court's executive committee and delay reduction work group.
An officer of the American Inns of Court, Oakland Division, Donofrio also was a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Macomb and Oakland County Bar Associations.
A frequent lecturer, Donofrio served on faculties for ICLE, the National Judicial College, and the Michigan Judicial Institute.
He earned certificates of accomplishment from the National Judicial College and the National Drug Court Institute.
Donofrio is survived by his wife, Charlene; son Adam (Christina) Donofrio and daughter Lauren (Jayson Du Val) Donofrio; brother Elaine Passucci; and three grandchildren.
The family said donations were welcome to AVOW Hospice or St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens.
Family members said Donofrio “loved his family dearly, his Catholic faith, playing and watching golf.
“Not only was Pat a mentor to many but a man who left a lasting impression on those he met. He was never short on advice and when asked he would dedicate a lot of time and thought ensuring that he could provide the best guidance possible.
“He was and always will be greatly loved by his family, friends and everyone lucky enough to be graced by his presence.”
Donofrio graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor of science degree in 1967 and, three years later, graduated from WSU Law School. He immediately started a private practice and, in 1974, was a founding member of the law firm of Romain, Donofrio, Kuck, & Egerer PC.
Donofrio was serving as that firm’s president at the time he was named to the circuit court bench in 1997. He was elected the following year and served on the Mt. Clemens court until he was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2002.
During his time on the circuit court bench, Donofrio served as the presiding judge of the civil/criminal division.
He was elected to the appellate bench in 2004, reelected in 2010 and served until 2013 when he was appointed to the Michigan Court of Clams for a two-year term.
Donofrio retired from the Michigan Court of Appeals in September 2015.
During his time in private practice, Donofrio was also a professional arbiter and mediator for many years and was a professional facilitator for three years.
He served on the Michigan Supreme Court Task Force on Trial Court Performance Standards as well as the Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions.
A member of the Michigan Judges Association and the American Judges Association, Donofrio served as chairman of the Court of Appeals settlement committee and as a member of the court's executive committee and delay reduction work group.
An officer of the American Inns of Court, Oakland Division, Donofrio also was a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Macomb and Oakland County Bar Associations.
A frequent lecturer, Donofrio served on faculties for ICLE, the National Judicial College, and the Michigan Judicial Institute.
He earned certificates of accomplishment from the National Judicial College and the National Drug Court Institute.
Donofrio is survived by his wife, Charlene; son Adam (Christina) Donofrio and daughter Lauren (Jayson Du Val) Donofrio; brother Elaine Passucci; and three grandchildren.
The family said donations were welcome to AVOW Hospice or St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens.
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Allen Wade Venable
On February 25, at the age of 50, Allen Wade Venable passed away.
A native Detroiter, Venable attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Certificate of Specialization in Africa Studies, and a Masters Degree in Labor Relations and Human Resources. He received his law degree from Howard University School of Law.
Venable was the managing member of Venable Law PLLC, focusing on business, real estate, and employment law matters for businesses, nonprofit organizations, ecclesiastical corporations, and governments.
Venable was a member of the Business Law, Labor & Employment Law, Litigation, and Real Property Sections of the State Bar of Michigan. He also served as a board member for several groups that focus on economic development and the improvement of nonprofit organizations including the Detroit Urban League, the National Business League, and the Detroit Executive Service Corps.
A frequent speaker and educator on business law, Venable taught workshops on business ethics and commercial agreements for the United States Small Business Administration, and served as a panelist for Miller Brewing Company’s Urban Entrepreneur Series, and several trade associations.
Venable was also dedicated to serving the bar and the indigent. He was a past president of the Wolverine Bar Association and Wolverine Bar Foundation, a past board member of the National Bar Association, and a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Bar Association, the President’s Award for exemplary service from the Wolverine Bar Association, and both Attorney of the Year and the Pangborn Pin from the Legal Aid & Defender Association for pro bono legal service to the indigent.
A masonic service will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Haley Funeral Directors, 24525 Northwestern Hwy. in Southfield. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at the same location.
