Ken "Skeetz" Donovan

Cheyenne, Wyo. - Our Dad, Ken "Skeetz" Donovan, was reunited with his late wife, Kay, on March 28, 2012, at Davis Hospice in Cheyenne, Wyo., in a peaceful passage surrounded by his four children, Deb Kendrick, Joe Donovan, Judy Piquet, and Kathleen Mohney. He also leaves behind his brother, Bob Donovan; sister, Mary Alfalla; plus five grandchildren, Sara Coussens, Erin Kendrick, Susan Kendrick, Brian Kendrick, and Liam Donovan. His beloved cat, Emma, also misses him.

Dad's selflessness and easygoing manner were inspiring, as were his legendary stoicism and independence in handling his increasing pain without complaint. His sense of humor and love of animals are passed on to his progeny. Dad loved gardening and usually produced hearty harvests. Dad also inspired an appreciation of classical music and collected a number of albums in his early days. He also loved the Brooklyn Dodgers, Yankees, and New York Giants.

Dad was born in Long Island, N.Y., on May 24, 1930, and grew up in New London. He graduated from Chapman Tech in 1948, and attended the University of Connecticut. He flew planes in the Air Force during the Korean conflict, built houses, and welded airplane motors in East Hartford, and in 1972, moved to Syracuse, N.Y., to work in industrial tool sales. Dad frequently checked the obituaries in The Day and occasionally sent a check to families after they suffered a tragic loss.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, on what would have been their 60th wedding anniversary at St. Pius Church in Tucson, Ariz.