Robert F. Donovan, 85

LACONIA — Robert “Bob” F. Donovan, 85, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 19, 2026, with his wife Mary at his side.

He was a loving, kind, and generous person with a great sense of humor and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Bob was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, on July 26, 1940, to Jeremiah and Winnifred Donovan, who were both Irish immigrants. He was educated in Lynn and graduated from St. Mary’s Boys High School in 1958, where he was an outstanding player on the football team. He attended the University of Rhode Island for one year and then played semi-professional football for the Lynn Black Knights for two seasons. Bob was then recruited to play football for Northern Michigan University, and headed to Marquette, Michigan, in 1962.

During his first year at NMU he met his wife Mary, who was a secretary in the education department. They married in 1963, and celebrated their 62 years together in 2025. Bob earned his bachelor of science in sociology in 1965, and then earned a two-year scholarship from Wayne State University in Detroit, so he and Mary packed up and moved to the “Motor City,” where Bob earned his master's in community organization in 1967. Bob and Mary moved to New Hampshire, as Bob received an offer from the United Way in Manchester, as associate director, later moving on as executive director of the Mid-Merrimack Health Planning Council. While in Manchester for 13 years their two sons, Mike and Jerry, were born. Bob made a career change in 1979, and the family moved to Laconia, where he worked in management for Lakes Region Disposal and later Waste Management, from which he retired.

Bob was a “man’s man,” and loved all Boston sports teams — especially the New England Patriots, of which he was an original season ticket holder. He played golf and racquetball, and was always ready for a sport, political or historical debate over a few beers. Bob was proud of his “man cave,” which was filled with sports memorabilia and a library of many sports and history books.

Bob loved his Irish heritage and music and was known to break into Irish folk songs at any given moment. He and Mary made several trips to Ireland to visit family, where he kissed the Blarney Stone.

Bob was a director and coach of Pop Warner football, Chamber of Commerce board of director, Elks Club member and Special Olympics sponsor. After his retirement, Bob got interested in wood carving and was a member of the Woodside Carvers. Family and friends cherish his excellent carved figures and ornaments.

He is survived by his wife Mary; sons Mike and his fiancée Dawn, and Jerry and his wife Christine. He is also survived by his five grandsons, Shane, Kyle, Jake, Colin and Brady; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law. In addition to his parents, Bob was predeceased by his brothers Joseph and James, and his sister Mary.

Bob’s wishes were to have no formal services. A private celebration of life will be held for family and close friends at a later date.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Granite VNA for their wonderful care and support shown to Bob and Mary during his illness, and the senior companion and hospice volunteers. Please consider a donation to Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury St., Concord, NH 03301, in Bob’s memory.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.