Eugene Donovan

March 7, 1933 - April 11, 2021

Eugene Patrick Donovan, Sr., age 88, formerly of Milledgeville, passed away on Sunday, April 11, 2021 in Villages Hospice House in Lady Lake, Florida. Funeral services for Gene Donovan Sr will be conducted Friday, April 16 2021 at 4:00 pm at Chapel of Williams Funeral Home of Milledgeville with Father Young officiating. Interment will be at Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Williams Funeral Home on Friday, April 16, 2021 from 3:00 until 4:00. Gene Donovan was born on March 7, 1933 in Newark, New Jersey, to Eugene Donovan and Rose McKeon Donovan. He grew up in New York and joined the Army at age 17, promoted to Sergeant while serving in Korean War and discharged with a Purple Heart. Gene was a member of Oyster Bay Rough Riders volunteer firefighters in NY and participated in firematic competitions geared towards physical fitness. Gene married Patricia Ward Donovan on April 23, 1960. They raised three sons on Long Island, New York. His career with Grumman Aerospace that started in October 1954 provided an opportunity to transfer to Milledgeville, Georgia in June 1975 to start-up new Grumman composite facility. Gene lived on Lake Sinclair with his family after moving to Georgia and retired from Grumman with 40 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church while residing in Georgia. He and his wife Pat moved to Summerfield, Florida in 1999 and became members of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lady Lake, Florida. They were married over 60 years until her death in December, 2020. Survivors include his sons, Gene Donovan, Jr. (Jan) of Milledgeville; Joseph Donovan of Gainesville, GA; Patrick Donovan (Pamela) of Milledgeville; grandchildren, Chris Donovan (Heather) of Eatonton; Michael Donovan (Susan) of Grantsville, GA; Skylar Donovan of Dawsonville, GA; Rachel Ratajczak of Milledgeville; great-grandchildren, Kimberly, Thomas, and Reed Donovan; sister, Rosemary Marmorale of Melbourne, FL; and brothers, Jimmy Donovan of Clearwater, FL; Michael Donovan of Jacksonville, FL; and Tom Donovan of Cold Spring Harbor, New York. Memorial Contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 110 North Jefferson Street, Milledgeville, GA 31061 or flowers may be sent to Williams Funeral Home Condolences may be expressed online at: www.williamsfuneral.net Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Milledgeville is in charge of arrangements.