John F. Donovan of Pearl River, and formerly of Warwick, entered into rest on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. He was 86.
The son of John and Margaret Donovan, he was born on April 1, 1935, in Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era.
Dad was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was an avid follower of Gaelic Football and Hurling. A fixture at Gaelic Park, he could be found on Sundays after Mass at the top bleacher rooting for the underdog.
The other six days a week, he could be found walking or swinging up in the trees.
He is survived by his three children: James O’Donovan and wife Gloria, John Patrick O’Donovan and wife Linda and Carol O’Donovan Lempka; seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Julia “Sheila” Jordan Donovan, and two older brothers, Patrick and Jeremiah.
Visitation was held Nov. 15 at T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida.
A funeral mass was held Nov. 16 at St. Joseph Church, 20 Glenmere Ave., Florida.
Burial was held in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.