Saturday, November 14, 2026
John L. Donovan, 69, of Marco Island, Florida passed away on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 after a long illness. He had the love of his life, his wife Debbie, and his beloved daughter Candie by his side.
John was born April 12, 1954, in Webster, Massachusetts. He was the son of Richard P. Donovan and Marie "Rose" Donovan. He grew up in Westboro, Massachusetts and was a graduate of Westboro High School. John married his high school sweetheart Debbie and ultimately settled in Paxton, Massachusetts, where they raised their two children and enjoyed restoring their colonial home together. He encouraged his children to work hard and get good grades in school. "Just do your best" was an all too familiar phrase in the household. John was self-employed and owned Donovan's Auto Repair in Westboro and once in Paxton, he established John L. Donovan Trucking. When their children graduated from high school, John and Debbie made their move to Marco Island.
John enjoyed the good times spent with family and friends. The family gatherings during the holidays and family cookouts during the summer were among his favorites. He enjoyed the Westboro Speedway, the Summer Nationals, traveling, camping, the New England Patriots and especially NASCAR. John's passion was the 50's and 60's Rock and Roll music and American Muscle cars. John could build them, paint them and race them. John was an incredible talent, a true craftsman.
He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and loved ones.
John is survived by his loving wife of nearly 50 years, Debra A. (Gatto), and their children Paul M. and his wife, Margaret of Oakham, Massachusetts and Candice M. Simmons and her husband Tobias of Naples, Florida; a grandson Cole Simmons whom he adored; step-granddaughters Ashley and Alyssa Simmons and step-great-grandson Cameron Simmons.
His surviving siblings are April A. DeWolfe and her husband David, Kathleen M. Uhlman and her husband Douglas, Richard P. Donovan Jr., Thomas D. Donovan, Karol F. Donovan and her husband Michael, Dennis P. Donovan, David A. Donovan and his wife Kristy, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his parents.
All memorial services will be held in Massachusetts with Pickering and Son Funeral Home; see westboroughfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to support The American Heart Association at heart.org.
