Philip J. Donovan, 93, of Hudson, died on Monday, Nov. 14th at Marlboro Hills Healthcare Center. He leaves his beloved wife of 66 years, Verna A. (Tarbell) Donovan of Hudson.
Philip was born in Spencer, son of the late Francis and Ida (Ethier) Donovan. He was raised in Hudson where he attended local schools and was a 1936 graduate of Hudson High School. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps until being honorably discharged. Philip was employed by LaPointes Machine and Tool Co. of Hudson for many years until 1973 when he and a small group of investors started the Hudson Broach Co. after purchasing the Broaching Division of Lapointes. He served as president of the company until his retirement in 1981. He served on the Hudson School Committee during the 1950s. He was a life member and former Exhalted Ruler of the Hudson Lodge of Elks, he also served as District Deputy with the Elks and was a member of Saint Michaels Parish in Hudson.
Philip was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the summers at their cottage in Hampton Beach, NH. He and Verna also enjoyed the times they spent together at their residence in Boynton Beach, FL after retirement from 1981 to 2007. He was an avid fan of the Red Sox and Patriots.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Marie Soroka and her husband Wally of Alaska; his son, Daniel Donovan and his wife Mary June of Clinton; his brother, John Doc Donovan of Hudson and his sister, Patricia Carney of Northboro. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Holly Sullivan of Southboro, Stephen Soroka of Alaska, Julie Donovan of Clinton, Kelly Zerveskes of Newmarket, NH; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Francis Donovan Jr. who died during WWII. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 17th at 9:00 a.m. in Saint Michaels Church, 21 Manning Street, Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michaels Cemetery, Hudson. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 16th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (www.tighehamilton.com).
(Obituary courtesy of Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home)
