John D. Donovan, a resident of Burlington for 50 years, passed away at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center on Sunday morning, March 22, 2015. The beloved husband of the late Bernadette (McLaughlin) he was 82 years old.

John was born in Boston. He was one of 7 children born to the late John and Helen Donovan. He was raised in Somerville and Charlestown and was a graduate of Charlestown High School. John was a veteran of the Korean War serving his country in the United States Air Force. He served on the 9th Air Police Squadron and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

John had a career as a Truck Driver and was a member of the Teamsters Local 25. He worked for 25 years doing long haul driving for Interstate Systems. He worked for Litton Aerospace where he drove for their shipping receiving department and ended his career working for Lily Transportation delivering for Napa Auto Parts. John and Bernadette married on April 18, 1959 and settled in Burlington in 1964 where they would raise their two children and become very involved in the community. John was very involved in the Burlington Youth Hockey Program. He was a coach as well as running the Skating Clinic for 10 years. He was also the coach of the Boston Jr. Braves for five years. John was also a big Bruins Fan. John was an avid golfer and was a member of Club 55 Golf League. One of his proudest accomplishments was his "hole in one" while golfing at the Unicorn Golf Course in Stoneham. John and Bernadette enjoyed vacationing to such destinations as Myrtle Beach, York Beach and Martha's Vineyard. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Charlestown and Burlington. John was an avid reader and was up to date on current events and world issues. John will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

John was the beloved husband of the late Bernadette (McLaughlin). He was the loving father of Jon A. & his wife Maria of Oxford and Kristin Graham & her husband David Rojas. Brother of Lois Smith of Revere, Vincent Donovan of Revere and the late Jean Cahill, Candace LePage, David and Edward Donovan. Proud grandfather of James & Katelyn Graham of Chelmsford, Raven Wilbur of Chelmsford, Ryan & Rylee Donovan of Oxford. Great grandfather of Jacob, Dominick and Josane. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, March 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret's Church, 111 Winn St. at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in John's name may be made to Autism Speaks, 85 Devonshire St., 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02169

Jack Donovan's Life Journey

Thank you all for coming today

Just a few insightful words here to say

John David Donovan… or simply Grampy or Jack

You can bet your last dime, we'd all like him back

An amazing man of velvet and steel

When you were with him……his heart you could feel

He had the grace, distinction and charm of Fred Astaire

And the recognizable Clint Eastwood glare

His brilliant smile, one for the ages

Oh the stories….could fill volumes of pages

He would never impose or become to others a burden

But would surely be there, if he thought you were hurtin'

He was that guy next to you in life's "fox hole"

Had your back, calming and in control

He could captivate your attention like EF Hutton

And you could never press his buttons

He would give you an inch, but never a yard

And good luck beating him at cards

The proud son of Zelda and Dill

My goodness…the size of the shoes to fill

He was big Jacky to Chicky, Lois and Jean

To whom he'd never be coarse or mean

His brothers, Vinnie, David and little Ed

His actions spoke louder than the words he said

My Uncle David was the Frick to his Frack

My Goodness the Coors Lights they knocked back

With Uncle Timmy he went into the service

Could you ever picture Jack nervous?

He was captivated by the "live wire" lady of his dreams

Bernadette and he, one incredible team

He met Maggie, Lena and Scoff

Not sure if at first they hit it off

Scoff once asked him, for work, what do you do?

He had no job, but the next time they met…he had two!

Then along came the 2 kids…Jon and Kris

What memories he provided…we're so thankful for this

Kris had Jay to start the Grandchild brigade

What a start to this new chapter and parade

Add Katelyn, Ryan, Rylee and Ravey

He thought fondly about all of you …daily

From my wife Maria he met all the Worcester crew

What great times he spent with you

From Boston, Charlestown, Somerville, Weymouth and

Medford, all the aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces

He adored you to pieces

At Interstate, Litton, Napa or in Myrtle Beach he thrived

on being just one of the guys

The countless people and friends he touched….no surprise!

The biting wit, unmistakable phrases and sayings

Mother of Night…His gift of gab was truly amazing

We ran out of time to go to the Sharks or The Masters

But made it through the Patriots' and Red Sox' early disasters

Was there a better feeling than when the Bruins won the Cup?

Watching Chara and Tim Thomas lifting it up

In closing… I can honestly say

I was fortunate you were my Dad each day.