John 'Jack' Donovan, 77.

PositionOBITUARIES

WESTBORO - John E. "Jack" Donovan, "Coach," 77, longtime resident of Westborough and beloved Basketball Coach passed away unexpectedly at home, Monday, September 9th 2013.

Jack was born in Worcester, MA, one of eight children to Clyde and Gertrude (Dorsey) Donovan. He grew up on Grafton Hill, graduated from St. Stephen's High School, where he was a standout basketball player. He went on to attend the University of Miami, where he also played basketball and studied Physical Education. He served in the United States Marine Corps, stationed at the Portsmouth Naval Prison (Portsmouth, NH). On November 30th 1957 Jack married the woman who would become his devoted wife for the next 56 years, Marolyn R. (Stuart) Donovan. Living for a period in the Webster and Worcester areas, they then settled in Westborough in 1976 to raise their six children, and have lived there ever since.

Before retiring in 1996, Jack worked in the automobile business for 40 years, devoting 25 years as General Manager for Toyota of Boston and Boston Nissan. However, Jack's life's passion was basketball. From the time he was 11 years old, from grade school to college to the Marines, Jack loved the game and devoted himself to inspiring young and old toward a similar passion. Jack coached basketball at St. Marks School in Southborough; worked as a coach for youth summer basketball camp w/ Togo Palazzi and Elia Nicholas for several years. Jack also worked at the Westborough Tennis and Swim Club since 1998, and simultaneously gave private basketball lessons to aspiring youth players. Many of Jack's students went on to play ball at a more advanced level throughout their high school and college years.

Jack is survived by the family he loved so...

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