Daniel J. Donovan Sr.

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Daniel J. Donovan, Sr. of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts on January 20, 2025, at the age of 78 years. Dan was born on March 24, 1946, to Mildred Kennedy Donovan and John Vincent Donovan.
Dan is survived by his loving wife, Patti Foley Donovan; his sons, Daniel Donovan Jr. (Tama), and Brian Donovan (Corinne); his daughter, Mariah Carter (Jed); his stepson, Ryan Foley; his grandsons, Ned, Eliot, Declan, and Rohan; his sister, Patricia; and his brothers, Jack and Mike. He was predeceased by his late wife, Carol Anne.
Known affectionately as "Sergeant Danno," Dan lived a life filled with love, joy, and service. His commitment to others was rooted in his lifelong faith in God and active participation in the Catholic church.
Dan spent his childhood in Newton, Massachusetts, growing up alongside his siblings. After graduating from Catholic Memorial High School in 1964, he attended Boston College where he was a member of the Army ROTC and Lewis Drill Team.
Shortly after graduating from BC in 1968, Dan was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in Panama for over two years in a Military Police Company at Ft. Clayton, Canal Zone, and supervised a 70-man security detachment at the Headquarters of the Southern Command. Following his honorable discharge from the Army in 1970, Dan began a 23-year career with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). "Sergeant Danno" embodied the MSP values of excellence and teamwork, shaping countless future troopers during his time as a supervisor based in the Foxboro barracks, a trainer at the State Police Academy in Framingham and New Braintree, and ultimately, as the MSP Director of Training. Dan was also one of the first specialists in what is now the MSP Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section (CARS), and an active member of the MSP Drill Team & Color Guard.
A prolific runner throughout adulthood, Dan founded the MSP Striders running club during the running boom of the 1970s to promote physical fitness within the MSP organization. He also brought his love of running to the community by founding the Massachusetts State Police "Police Chase" road race in Framingham in 1976, which is held annually to this day, as well as the MSP Junior Olympics, an annual event in the 1980s which fostered exercise and connection between State Police officers and the youth of Massachusetts. Dan organized and ran countless charity fundraising runs, none bigger than the "United States Police Brain Run" in 1979, a coordinated relay in which State Police troopers from multiple states ran 5000 miles across the country to raise money for brain cancer research. Dan loved the Boston Marathon. He was a proud member of the Boston Athletic Association board of directors, was the police escort for the legendary Johnny Kelly to the race start annually, and ran it several times, with a personal record of 2 hours and 51 minutes. His enthusiasm for running was contagious, inspiring countless people to run the race including his wife, Patti, and all three of his children.
After retiring from the Massachusetts State Police in 1994, Dan founded Consultracks, Inc., a successful accident reconstruction firm where he served as a consultant and expert witness for law firms and insurance companies. Dan stayed active with this business for many years while also finding time for numerous pastimes, such as becoming a Civil War reenactor performing at many events in the U.S. and rowing with his "Killer Bees" – a four-man rowing team he founded and competed with, including several Head of the Charles regattas. Dan also stayed involved in the BC community as an alumnus and dedicated season ticket holder, cheering on his beloved BC Eagles football team for many years.
Married on May 10, 1969, Dan and Carol Anne spent 30 very happy years together, raising three children they were proud of, enjoying time with friends, and serving as active members of the Sacred Heart of Milford and Saint Mary's of Shrewsbury church communities. Dan cherished every day he had with Carol Anne, including the time he spent caring for her throughout her battle with cancer. After losing Carol Anne in 1999, Dan remained an active community member and was fortunate to meet Patti Foley, whom he married in 2001. Dan and Patti relished the 24 years they had together, and Patti was at his side as he navigated health challenges in recent years.
A celebration of Dan's life would not be complete without recognizing his love of music – from his days singing acapella at Catholic Memorial High School, to teaching himself to play the banjo in the 1960s, to his enthusiastic participation in various bands, including church folk bands, the Heritage String Band, the Worcester Men of Song, and the Jug O' Punch Irish band, all fueled by his love of music and the camaraderie that came with it.
Dan – or Sergeant Danno – meant so much to so many people. He was a husband, father, brother, mentor, colleague, teammate, friend, and inspiration. He will be sorely and fondly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the Donovan family on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 3:00-7:00 PM at the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral will be on Monday, January 27, 2025 with a funeral Mass celebrated at 10:00 AM at Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main St, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan's name can be sent to the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center at mspmlc.org/donate