Donald P. Donovan

Portland – Donald P. Donovan of Cumberland Foreside, Maine passed away peacefully July 18, 2013 in Portland, Maine. Donald was born on April 10, 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the son of Edward T. and Luella Donovan.

He attended schools in Washington, DC graduating from Dover High in New Hampshire. He began his college career at the University of Wisconsin and graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. With degree in hand, Donald enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers where he was trained and was initially stationed in El Paso, Texas. Luckily for him, a cute Army nurse spotted him as he sang and sparks flew. Mary, the love of his life and Donald were married in El Paso in February of 1950.

Following the service, Donald began his career with General Electric, staying with them until 1978. Throughout his years with GE, Donald and Mary lived many places: Philadelphia, Burlington, Schenectady, Southern California and Bangor, Maine. After leaving GE, Donald finished his career at the Siemens Corporation, which had brought them to Sarasota, Florida.

Throughout his life, Donald would liven up any situation when he burst into song, usually an Irish song or one of his favorite college fight songs. Family and friends always loved the Donovan family sing-a-longs. Whether it was his brother David at the piano or two of his sons, Michael and Martin, on guitar, Donald’s voice was always the anchor to the sing-a-longs. Shortly before his passing, the family gathered for his last sing-a-long as he sang his final tribute to Mary, “Galway Bay”.

When many slowed down in retirement, Donald and Mary jumped on “the highway of life”. Packing up their RV, they traveled throughout North America. They enjoyed all the sights and time spent together as they cruised through Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the entire U.S.

Donald is survived by his and Mary’s seven children and their families: Michael and Jenee Donovan, Margaret Honan, Kevin Donovan, Martin and Karen Donovan, Kathryn and Bob Mattison, Timothy and Jennifer Donovan, Patrick and Judy Donovan, 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren with one more on the way. Donald is also survived by his brother Hugh and his wife Carol.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday July 25, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday July 26 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 78 Smith Street, Yarmouth on Saturday July 27 at 2:00 PM. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Donald’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Donald’s memory to: Mary Donovan Charitable Remainder Trust, U.B.S., One City Center – 7th Floor, Portland, ME 04101.