Obituary of Paul Richard Donovan

Paul Richard Donovan, Senior Vice President at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, passed away from a massive heart attack on Wednesday night, December 27, 2017. He was only 50 years old. Paul was born in Wichita, Kansas. He was one of four children born to Richard and Janice Donovan. His family moved to Burlington, Massachusetts when he was 6 years old. Paul was a 1985 graduate of Burlington High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1989 from Bentley College. As well as being an exceptional student, Paul was an exceptional athlete competing in the javelin on the track teams at Burlington high School and Bentley College. He would later earn his Master’s Degree in Business from Babson College in 1997. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company was really the only company he had ever worked for. He started almost 30 years ago as an intern in their Burlington location. An internship led to an entry level programming position. From there, he continually moved up the ladder to analyst, Vice President in 2005, and Senior Vice President of Enterprise Services in 2015. He loved his work, the many challenges of his career, keeping up with the technology, innovations, and trends, and an industry that evolved from paper to digital. But most importantly, he loved his Houghton Mifflin Harcourt family. He grew up with them, they were his friends and extended family, and also felt a responsibility to them and their careers and wellbeing. Paul was deeply involved in his community and family’s lives. He coached his daughters soccer teams in Andover. He and his brother, Mark, coached Midget hockey for Burlington Youth Hockey for a number of years. And even though he has been living in Andover for the past 19 years, he still helped the Burlington High School Hockey team with their statistics during all those years. Despite his hectic schedule at work, he always made a point to always be present for all his children’s activities, school events, sports, and celebrations. He was in the audience for every dance recital and competition, and sidelines for soccer and flag football games. He leaves his children with countless memories of vacations on Cape Cod, Niagara Falls, Florida, and endless other destinations. He was more than just a fan of the Boston Bruins, he was a fanatic. Even in his passing, he was thinking of others as a registered organ donor. Paul’s tragic passing leaves a deep sadness resonating in the hearts of his family, friends, and coworkers of a man they deeply cared for and will greatly missed. Paul was the loving and proud father of Rachel, Hannah & Olivia Donovan and Travis Halverson. He was the beloved son of Richard Donovan & his wife Donna of Billerica formerly of Burlington and the late Janice (Carroll) Donovan. He was the brother of Mark Donovan & his wife Maria of Stow, Melissa Joyce & her husband Jason of Sterling and Allison Donovan of Somerville. He was the nephew of Neal Carroll of Malden. He was the loving companion of Alyssa Halverson of Needham. He was the former husband of Helen Donovan of Andover and stepbrother of James Sweeney & his wife Kara and Kathy Sweeney all Billerica. Paul was also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Monday, Jan. 1 from 3-6 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials in Paul’s name may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 471005, Boston, MA 02241-7005 For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.stmargaretburlington.org