Francis "Frank" Donovan

Francis “Frank” Leo Donovan, 80 years old, of Arvada, Colorado was born in Denver, Colorado on May 17, 1942 to Dorothy McCartey and Frank A. Donovan. Frank passed away on May 12, 2023 at Collier Hospice, surrounded by his family and dear friend Bob Dyson.

Frank was proud to call himself a Holy Family Tiger for 12 years and graduated with the class of 1960. He went on to attend Regis College to obtain his bachelors in English. He enjoyed his time in college in the Alpha Delta Gamma fraternity. He joined the US Army in 1965, and was stationed in Vietnam from 1967-68. He met the love of his life, Louise Kalin in 1961, and was married on February 20, 1971. Recently celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary was one of Frank’s happiest moments. Out of college, Frank worked for RJ Reynolds in sales for many years and finished off his career at the VA Hospital. He served with honor in the Army Nation Guard for over 21 years.

Anyone who knew Frank knows he loved a good social scene and was highly involved in several local and international organizations. The lengthy list included the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Emerald Society, VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion, DOGSS, Knights of Columbus achieving the status of 4th-degree Knight, Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, and the Jimmy Buffet Parrot Heads.

Although Frank was raised as an only child, after the untimely death of his mother Dorothy, he welcomed his father’s second wife, Mary, into the family, who brought him a brother, Michael, when Frank was 39 years old. These late-arriving members of his immediate family brought him much joy and happiness.

He was a devoted Catholic, who faithfully guided his 4 children in the Catholic Church and through the sacraments. Frank loved everything sports and was a professional armchair quarterback: from advice to his grandchildren’s little league games to a full dissertation on when the Rockies should pull the pitcher.

Everyone will remember Frank for how much he enjoyed traveling, especially to the warmth of Hawaii in February, his appreciation of a perfect pour of Guinness, knowing every Jimmy Buffet song, but above all, his unconditional love for his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Frank is survived by his daughter Dierdre with her husband Andrew Wicklow and their children Finn, Aidan, Seamus, and Maeve, son Daniel, son Jack with his daughter Delia Donovan-Powers, Jack’s wife Joanne Donovan and their children Kalin and Drew, daughter Shannon and her husband Michael Mazur and their children Ryland and Makenna, his step-mother Mary Donovan, his brother Michael with his wife Kari Donovan and their children Emaline and Grace, his nephews Kurt and Erik Klanderud and his niece Kaela Moontree.

Rosary will be held at Horan & McConaty on Tuesday, May 16 at 5:30pm followed by an Irish Wake from 6-8pm. For this celebration on Tuesday night, please consider wearing a Hawaiian shirt or your favorite Colorado sports gear.

The funeral mass will be Wednesday, May 17, at 10am at St. Anne’s Church. Reception immediately to follow at Horan and McConaty. Private interment on Thursday, May 18 at 9:15am at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made through flowers or a contribution to National Veterans Foundations ( NVF.org ).

Please share memories of Frank and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall above.

The sun setting is no less beautiful than the sun rising.