John J. Donovan, Jr., 63, of Hanson, MA, passed away peacefully at home on July 10, 2019, surrounded by his family. John faced the devastating disease, FTD-ALS, with unwavering courage, faith and hope.

John was born in Quincy, MA on May 4, 1956 and was raised in Rockland, MA, the oldest of seven. He was a devoted older brother who enjoyed a tight-knit family life that included gatherings with extended family, vacations down the Cape and day-trips to Nantasket Beach. In 1974, at the age of 18, he started his own carpentry business, Donovan Building & Remodeling and was a master carpenter, having built dream houses for his parents and sister. Throughout his career, he provided his services to hundreds of cherished clients across the South Shore. John enjoyed volunteering his time with his Church, including helping local youth by speaking at retreats and teaching faith-formation classes. He also volunteered his carpentry services by helping to replace the roof at Camp Kiwanee in Hanson in 1989. John was a gentle soul who always had a kind word and would always put others before himself. He was strong in his faith and a great comfort to all who crossed his path. He had a great sense of humor, a love of music, and a warm smile. He was a devoted family man and was overjoyed to become a grandfather and watch his grandkids grow.

John is survived by his wife of 40 years, Maureen A. Donovan (Anderson) of Hanson, MA, as well as his five devoted children, Erin Donovan Reed and husband Michael of Hanson, MA, Kerri Leary (Donovan) and husband John of Hanson, MA, Kaitlin Sidor (Donovan) and her husband Donnell of Hanover, MA, John J. Donovan, III of Plymouth, MA, and Allyson Donovan of Hanson, MA. He was the proud "Grandpa" to his beloved grandchildren, John, Brianna, Donovan, Abigail, Dylan, Evelyn, and Emma. He is predeceased by his parents, John J. Donovan, Sr. and Carole M. Donovan, and his brother Michael J. Donovan. He is survived by his five sisters, Deborah Donovan of Weymouth, MA, Carole Donovan of Quincy, Michele Donovan-Goodwin and husband Scott of Ipswich, MA, Kathleen Donovan-Maher and husband, John of Hanover, MA, and Siobhan Donovan-Grant and husband Tom of Bridgewater, MA. Also surviving are many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family welcomes friends and family to celebrate his life on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home, 135 Union Street, Rockland from 5:00 – 8:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at 9:00 AM in the Holy Family Church, 403 Union Street, Rockland. Burial will follow in the Holy Family Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, https://www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/