It is with deep sorrow that the Moretrench family announces the sudden death of chairman John Donohoe on Dec. 2, 2009. He was 67 years old. John is survived by Kathy, his wife of 45 years and children Kathy, Beth, Margy, John and Ellen.
  John joined Moretrench American Corp. in 1964, immediately after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in Civil Engineering. Over the course of a long and distinguished career with the company, he advanced to ultimately hold the positions of president from 1982 to 2002 and chief executive officer from 1995 to 2007. He served as chairman since 1995.
  John was instrumental in many significant projects, notably design and construction of the largest ground freezing operation in the United States that allowed jacking of three massive box tunnels beneath South Street Station for Boston’s Big Dig. He was a member of the World Trade Center Task Force Committee, where he provided immediate valuable insight to the recovery effort as it related to the heavily damaged slurry wall “bathtub” foundations. He led the Moretrench team in the design and installation of critical emergency groundwater control systems for the flooded PATH tubes as well as the Trade Center bathtub to provide stability of the slurry wall for the recovery operation.
  Throughout his career, John was active in the civil engineering community. He served as president of the ASCE Construction Institute, president of AGC of New Jersey, national director of AGC of America, president of The Moles, and president and trustee of CIAP of New Jersey. He was selected as Man of the Year of AGC of New Jersey in 2001 and in 2004 he received The Moles Award for Outstanding Achievement in Construction, a tribute to his lifetime accomplishments. He was a 2009 recipient of the prestigious ASCE Opal Award for “innovation and excellence in construction of civil engineering projects and/or programs.” Most recently, he was elected president of GCA of New York.
  John was a much valued colleague and personal friend. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his outstanding character and integrity and he epitomized grace and courtesy. He was a mentor to many, and loved by all. With all of his professional achievements, he was still regarded by all as a man of great humility. He will be greatly missed.
  Arthur B. Corwin, president and CEO, Moretrench.