CUMBERLAND – Donald P. Donovan, of Cumberland Foreside, died peacefully July 18, in Portland. He was born April 10, 1926, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Edward T. and Luella Donovan.

He attended schools in Washington, D.C., graduating from Dover High School 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, Donovan enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers where he was trained and was initially stationed in El Paso, Texas.

Throughout his life, Donovan would liven up any situation when he burst into song, usually an Irish song or one of his favorite college fight songs. Lucky for him, a cute Army nurse spotted him as he sang and sparks flew. He wedded Mary, the love of his life, in El Paso in February of 1950.

Following the service, Donovan began his career with General Electric, staying with them until 1978. Throughout his years with GE, the couple lived many places, including Philadelphia, Burlington, Schenectady, southern California and Bangor. After leaving GE, Donovan finished his career at the Siemens Corp., which had brought them to Sarasota, Fla.

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, Donovan’s voice was always the anchor to the sing-a-longs. Shortly before his death, the family gathered for his last sing-a-long as he sang his final tribute to Mary, “Galway Bay”.

While many slowed down in retirement, Donald and Mary Donovan jumped on “the highway of life.” Packing up their RV, they traveled throughout North America, cruising through Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the entire U.S.

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

Visiting hours were scheduled for Thursday 5:30- 7:30 p.m., at Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, 78 Smith St., Yarmouth on Saturday at 2 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donovan’s memory to the Mary Donovan Charitable Remainder Trust, U.B.S., One City Center – 7th Floor, Portland, ME 04101.

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