William J. Donovan, South Abington Township, died Saturday at Allied Services Hospice Center, Scranton. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Linda Tomko Donovan.
Born February 2, 1949 in Monroe, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late J. Walter and Anne L Schwenke Donovan. He was a graduate of Monroe High School, St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI, and the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, earning an MBA in Human Resource Management.
Bill served as Human Resource Manager for Trane Company, Dunmore, PA and Sathers Candy Company in Pittston. After retirement he served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and SCOLA. He was a devout Roman Catholic and member of the Church of St. Gregory in Clarks Green, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and former member of the Parish Council. He volunteered for various committees and visited homebound parishioners to administer the Eucharist.
Bill was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Father Patrick Healey Division. He was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan who enjoyed playing golf and who passionately followed the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, and the New York Yankees.
Bill was a strong proponent of Greyhound rescue and adoption, having five pets over the past 24 years. He was a kind and compassionate gentleman who will be missed by all who were privileged to know him.
Also surviving are his brother, J. Walter “Bud” and sister-in-law, Murrie Donovan, two nephews, Mike and Kevin Donovan, all of Green Bay, Wisconsin; two nieces, Nancy Donovan of De Pere, Wisconsin, and Peggy Duffy, Boston, Massachusetts; several great nephews and nieces and cousins.
Bill was blessed to have many strong and long-time friendships, many of whom he considered family, particularly Loretta, Greg, and Allison De Boer.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Alvin T. and Mary A. Caproni Tomko, and niece and goddaughter Molly F. Donovan.
The family would like to especially thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Progressive Care Unit at GCMC and Allied Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 9th at 11 a.m. from The Church of Saint Gregory, 330 North Abington Rd., Clarks Summit with services by Rev. John Lapera, Pastor. Interment will follow at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Waverly. Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Due to COVID-19, masks will be required and social distancing must be observed for all who attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Scranton Area Foundation Community Needs Fund or the donor’s favorite charity.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit and online condolences may be left for the family at www.lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome.com.
