Franklin Donovan, great cook
Franklin “Frank” Waples Donovan, 84, of Millsboro, formerly of Ocean, N.J., passed away Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes He was born June 15, 1934, in Milton, son of the late Eldridge and Mildred E. Donovan.
Mr. Donovan was a proud Army National Guardsman, retiring as a Sergeant First Class after almost 25 years of dedicated service, and receiving numerous citations and awards, including Expert and Sharpshooter badges, the NJ Merit Award, and the Army Achievement Medal.
Mr. Donovan was a 32 Degree Mason and past Master of Ocean Lodge 89 in Wall Township, N.J., as well as a member of the Scottish Rite, the Order of the Amaranth Inc., and Ocean, NJ Chapter 214 of the Order of the Eastern Star.
He was a charter bus driver in his home state of New Jersey, and was a supervisor for Dart Transit from 2000 until his retirement, continuing to work seasonally for the organization until several weeks ago.
While we could continue to list all the things that Frank Donovan did - what a great cook he was, how he could fix anything, how beautiful and robust his annual garden was, how he created and maintained a beautiful home and grounds for his wife of over 40 years, LouAnne, and his regular long walks with his “best dog boy,” Bogard - what is more important is who he was and why he will be so deeply missed by those closest to him: His strong, steady, knowledgeable presence; teasing sense of humor and ready laugh; his decency and integrity, summed up by a friend who said, on learning of Frank’s passing, “I was a better person for having known him.”
In addition to his parents, Mr. Donovan was preceded in death by his brother, Russell Donovan; and his sister, Virginia Stamper. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons: Franklin Waples Donovan Jr. and Matthew Waples Donovan (Jeanne); his daughter, Gail Marie Cutrona; his stepdaughters: Victoria Vanderheyden and Veni Fields; his eight grandchildren; his 12 great-grandchildren; his nieces: Nancy O’Bier (Donald); Joan Sharp (Bill); Bonnie Walstead and Cheryl Witoski; as well as his great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great nieces and -nephews.
Masonic Services will be held at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 5 p.m. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Mr. Donovan's memory to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Mr. Donovan's Life Memorial webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
