Donovan Dean

Donovan Dean, 83, passed away on July 24, 2023 (at Advent Hospital). Born in Orlando on September 28, 1939, to Donovan and Marian Dean, he grew up in Lakeland, FL, where he graduated from Lakeland H.S. In 1963, he received his degree in Architecture from Georgia Tech. Upon graduation, he spent 4 years in the US Navy as Asst Officer in Charge of Construction at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, VA. He fist returned to Atlanta where he practiced architecture before being recruited by Schweitzer and Assoc. in Winter Park, FL. He opened his own practice, Donovan Dean & Assoc. in 1973, retiring in 2008.

Donovan met his future wife, Mary Ann Gregory, a student at Agnes Scott College, while at GA Tech. They were married in 1964.

He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, spending 2 years as Pledge Master, where life long friendships were forged. He never met a stranger and was the first to step forward to organize class reunions for H.S. friends and keep in touch with fraternity brothers.

He had a passion for boating and riding the backroads on his Harley. When a bicycle accident ended his motorcycle days, he didn’t skip a beat, but bought his “4-wheel Harley”, a Porsche Boxster, getting back to the open road and leading rides to all of the favorite places he had discovered on his Harley.

He was active in Kiwanis for a number of years, serving a term as President, and was a member of the Downtown Development Board and Leadership Orlando. He was also a member of the University Club of Orlando for 45 years, where he enjoyed playing racquetball. He joined the local chapter of Porsche Club of America, leading rides across the back roads of Central Florida. During his many years as a Harley rider, he enjoyed spending time riding with a group of fellow bikers, the Friday Afternoon Social Club (FASC) especially the annual trips to other parts of the country.

Donovan and Mary Ann loved to travel, creating memories from visits to Alaska, National Parks and ten other countries. They enjoyed spending weekends exploring Florida and the Bahamas on their boat, the Merrann.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; sons, Patrick, MD (Jenny) and Gregory and grandson, Aiden. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 28, 2023.