Obituary of Paul Donovan

Paul F. Donovan, a resident of Billerica for 34 years, passed away at the Wilmington Health Care Center on Thursday morning, April 30, 2009. The husband of 34 years of Christine (Halbich) he was 57 years old. Paul was born in Somerville. He was raised and educated in Burlington and was a 1970 graduate of Burlington High School. After high school, Paul follwed his father’s career path, by becoming an electrician and member of IBEW Local 103. He worked for over 38 years for Joy Electric which later became J. M. Brown Electric based out of Boston and Quincy. Paul and his wife, Christine, married in 1975 and settled in Billerica. Paul loved the outdoors. He enjoyed snowmobiling, and spending his summers in York Beach, Maine. He had a passion for classic cars, especially corvettes. Paul’s most important role in life was that of husband, father, and grandfather. He was a devoted and loving husband. He played an important role in his son’s lifes while they were growing up. He supported their activities and interests and was always in the stands ecouraging and supporting PJ and Mike in their lacrosse, hockey, baseball or basketball games. His grandson Cameron meant the world to him and was his sunshine. He was a concerned brother. He was a caring son, who emulated his father and adored his mom. He had a great number of friends, whom he shared countless good times and memories with. He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Paul was the beloved husband of Christine (Halbich) Donovan. He was the loving father of the late Paul “P.J.” & the late Michael. He was the proud grandfather of Cameron A. Maglio-Donovan. He was the devoted son of Elsie (Johnson) Donovan of Burlington and the late Francis Donovan. He was the brother of Dennis Donovan & his wife Carol of Pensacola, FL, Karen Rigazio & her husband Mike of Somerville, Sharon Icovitti & her husband Tom of Orlando, FL, Shirley Dupras & her husband Robert of Hudson, NH, Mary Donovan of Lowell, Sherri McCann & her husband Ray of Dracut & the late Donna Doherty. Son-in-law of Nancy & Frederick Halbich of Burlington. Brother-in-law of Frederick Halbich of Salem, NH and his wife the late Paula, Paulette Harris & her husband David of Tyngsboro, and Kevin Doherty of Rockport. He was also survived by Mehr “Mae” Piracha of Woburn and Kim Maglio-Carroll of Billerica. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he adored. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, May 4 at 8 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Theresa’s Church, 466 Boston Rd., Billerica at 9 am. Visiting hours Sunday 3- 7 p.m. Interment in Fox Hill Cemetery, Billerica. In lieu of flowers memorials in Paul’s name may be made to the Cameron Maglio-Donovan Fund, c/o Stoneham Co-Operative Bank, 493 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821. Family Remembrance by Paulette 1. How many of you have ever been intimidated by Paul Donovan? His deep voice, stern look and powerful presence were enough to make anyone feel a little afraid. But all that you needed to do was unzip that gruff coat that he often wore and you would see the most sensitive, loving father, husband and friend. 2. No one knew that sensitive man like Christine. The two of them were just made for each other, Perfect Compliments. They made a vow thirty-four years ago to love in “good times and bad, sickness and health” …They are the embodiment of that phrase… His top priority was making sure she was all right…. He’d get home from a long day of work… pull the redwings off his aching feet, sit down on the couch next to Teen, put her legs in his lap, and give her a foot rub. That’s love! He’d do anything for her… He’d buy her the Brooklyn Bridge if she asked for it! He was the most devoted father a son could ask for. He raised his sons to be respectful, compassionate, and to humbly strive for greatness. 3. Kim, who we are blessed to have, who brought us Cameron, the light of his Papa’s eyes. Paul committed to PJ with all his heart to engross himself in his grandson’s life. The bond that grew between him and Cam was nothing short of amazing. It was like watching the rerun of a movie from twenty-eight years ago. Mae or Amy as Paul would call his “adopted daughter” had a special place in Paul’s heart… She was also able to bless him with two more children who would call him “Papa.” 4. Paul’s Family- His Father, that he emulated and his adoring Mother. And what can we say Sisters Galore. Dennis the one male companion moved quickly as the girls approached teenage years (smart man). But don’t think Paul couldn’t hold his own. The girls speak of many fond memories of Paul Babysitting,.. like him taking a big bag of Lays Potato Chips and with that grin… looking at all the girls saying “ I bet you can’t just eat one” then after passing out one chip to each sister he would devour the rest of the bag. He would proceed to the Fridge and take a sip from his previously marked bottle of Coke and place it back into the Fridge with a new marking making sure that no else sipped from it. From the perspective of a father and mother-in-law, my parents were always comforted knowing that their daughter was in such good hands. Paul as a brother-in-law might sometimes call me a little bossy, but our mutual respect needed no words but was certainly heartfelt. He always had Freddy and Dave to be his go-with-the-flow kind of guys. His nieces and nephews knew they held a special place within him… A smile from any one of them could melt his heart. 5. Greg describes Paul’s friendship as Loyal… Dependable… THE BEST… what more can you say The entire family was grateful, but not surprised at the outpouring of support given by all of his brothers at local 103, what an honor shown for Paul. With such wonderful collegues. Paul looked forward to his weekly visits from Wayne, it made him feel as though he was on the job himself. We thank you for that Wayne. 6. Every one of us is asking why? Where were PJ and Mike, his angels in heaven, when this disease seemed to take him so quickly? With an open mind and open heart I truly believe that they WERE there and this is why: The summer after PJ and Mike passed away Paul sustained an injury to his lower back and leg which he and I were talking about last week when it suddenly dawned on him that THAT pain and THIS was one in the same. I believe that Paul had this disease since then and his Angel’s, the boys, kept it at bay so that he could spend the last seven years building the most unbreakable bond of love, trust and admiration you could ever imagine a husband and wife to have, and also creating a relationship with Cameron that is so strong it can never be broken 7. . Don’t wait to do the little things, because it’s the little things that make the bigger things that make the memories that form our lives. It’s all the little things, the little moments that us, his family and friends, hold so dear when we think of Paul… The ones we love, we never have too long, but always too short. 8.Before Paul fell asleep for the last time he first turned to Teen to make sure that she was sleeping comfortably at his side then turned to Mae and said “I need to go to a place where everything makes sense.” So fear not Teen… Paul, PJ, and Mike will never be far. They will always stay close for us all… And Paul… save Teen and the rest of us a front row seat at the lax game, Until we meet again…