Patrick Donovan

Patrick J Donovan passed away peacefully on June 12, 2022, surrounded by friends and family at his home in Converse, Texas. He was born on July 28, 1941, in Kalamazoo, MI to the late Charles and Catherine Donovan, proprietors of the Donovan Funeral Home in Kalamazoo.

Pat attended Kalamazoo St. Augustine through 12th grade. He entered the Air Force in 1961 and worked as a refueling specialist until he was honorably discharged in January 1965. In 1963 he was involved in a dramatic electrical accident at Kincheloe AFB that left him with lifelong injuries to his lungs and kidneys. Those debilities, coupled with a life lived unapologetically hard, finally led to his demise just one month prior to his 81st birthday.

Pat spent his working life in construction. He earned his liberal arts associates degree from Kellogg Community College in 1972 and moved to San Antonio in 1981. In San Antonio, he worked as a construction superintendent on major construction projects, including the San Antonio Convention Center, completed in 2001. Pat was a life member of the Schertz VFW Post 4676 and the American Legion Post 953, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus for over sixty years. At the time of his death, he was a member of the K of C Council 9681 in Converse, Texas.

His favorite pastimes included competitive skeet, rifle and pistol shooting, throwing down darts and beers at the local American Legion Hall, and playing cards with anyone willing to tolerate his super-competitive nature. He was a master craftsman who shared his woodworking talents willingly with his many friends. His home was always open to friends, whether for just one night or a month at a time. Thanksgiving was always a special day when many friends and relatives would gather to share Pat’s cooking. Pat provided the space and hospitality for many bar-b-ques and impromptu parties.

Pat was known for his rough edges, but he was loved for his generous heart. If he had something someone else needed, he was quick to give all he could. He might scold you for not doing things his way, for not finishing a job as perfectly as he would have it, but he was always appreciative of people’s time and effort. In the end he would see to it that everyone got what they needed while passing along knowledge, quips and the type of encouragement only he could provide. He was a curmudgeon who irritated everyone he knew but was loved by most of them.

Pat was predeceased by his parents, Charles (1987) and Catherine (2002), his brother Michael (2019), as well as two wives, Carol Maslanik (2010) and Sandi Annabelli (2005). He is survived by his wife Sharon McQueen, siblings Kathleen (David) Calver and David (Connie) Donovan, six nephews and nieces (Michael and Ben Donovan, Joe and Colleen Donovan, and Michelle and Bill Calver) plus seven great-nephews and nieces.

The Graveside Service will be held at 10:30AM on August 3, 2022 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Donations can be made in memory of Pat to the veterans programs at Converse American Legion Post 953, Converse, Texas.