Robert E. "Bo" Donovan, age 92, a lifelong resident of Medford, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, July 7, 2022, at the Courtyard Nursing Care Center in Medford surrounded by his family.
He was born September 30, 1929, in Medford, MA, and is the son of the late Michael & Margaret (Kilroy) Donovan. Bo is a 1947 graduate of Medford High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Shortly after returning from the war, Bo met the love of his life, Virginia (Carr) Donovan. They got married on April 30, 1955and spent the next 65 years together, creating a family, traveling the country, and enjoying the life & family they created. Up until Virginia’s death in 2020, they were together, side-by-side, taking “just another day”, one day at a time. They made it through the good and the bad, weathered the storms of life together & always made sure they loved one another and their family.
After returning from the war, Bo worked at the Coca~Cola Company and would later work at and eventually become the owner of Bell Rock Movers. Bo was a lifelong member of the Irish American Club in Malden where he marched in many Irish American parades as part of the float committee. He also coached the North Medford Bantam B Hockey Team & was a referee for the Medford Youth Hockey League. He was a hard worker and was never one to sit still for long. In his later years you could always find him working in the yard either raking, shoveling or occasionally relaxing (what he called “sleeping on the job”).
Robert is survived by his daughter Jean (Donovan) Mahoney and her husband Patrick of Plum Island, Newbury, son Robert E. Donovan, Jr. of Medford and son James Donovan and his wife Anna & stepdaughter Sarah Palumbo all of Medford.
He leaves behind his granddaughter Kerri D. (Mahoney) Tolman and her husband Michael of Newbury & his grandson Stephen Donovan of Medford. Robert is predeceased by his first grandson, Kevin Donovan Mahoney of Plum Island, Newbury, who tragically passed away on July 31, 2021. Robert was the best Grampie to his grandchildren & was always their #1 fan. Most importantly, he showed up without fail & supported them in every way possible. He was one of a kind.
Sadly, Robert never knew he lost his beloved Virginia or his grandson Kevin. Throughout his life he watched his brothers & sisters, Lillian Foley, Leona Graffignino, William Donovan, George Donovan, Alice Doughty, and Claire Dockray, all “go home” before him. He was the last Donovan of his family to get to the party in the sky. Bo is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends who love him and will miss him dearly.
Bo was always there to lend a hand & holds a very special place in many hearts.
They simply don’t make them like him anymore.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Tuesday July 12th at 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford at 11:30 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday July 11th from 4-7 PM.