Anthony V. Donovan, 81

ADAMS, Mass. —  

Mr. Anthony V. Donovan, 81, of Adams, died on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at his home.

He was born in Boston on April 13, 1942, a son of the late Robert and Lucy (Defazio) Donovan. He moved to North Adams as an infant and was educated in the North Adams Schools, including Drury High School where he played baseball and football.

Mr. Donovan was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served with the United States Army in Dallau, Germany during the Berlin Wall Crisis from 1959 to 1962 as a launch control operator on a Hercules and Ajax Nike Missile site. He was honorably discharged in June 1965. He then joined the Army National Guard and served another 30 years, retiring at the age of 60, completing 33 years as a tactical combat engineer and earning the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Mr. Donovan was employed by the Commonwealth Trial Courts as the facility manager of the Superior, Probate and District Courts in Pittsfield until retiring in 2006. Earlier he had worked for General Electric in the power transformer and aerospace departments with 26 years of services and a member of the GE Quarter Century Club. He had also worked for the former Cornish Wire in Williamstown and most recently as the custodian in the Massachusetts State Police Cheshire Barracks as well as the crossing guard at Hoosac Valley Elementary School.

He was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire. He served on the Adams Zoning Board of Appeals from 1991 until 2019. He was a member of the Berkshire Lodge of Masons A.F.A.C. in Adams as well as a past member of the Melha Shriners in Springfield and the Berkshire Shriners in Adams. He was a member of the Adams Elks Lodge 1335 and was a longtime member of the Adams Post 160 American Legion, where he held many positions, including officer, Adjutant and Post Commander. He had also served on the honor guard and firing squad, participating in many funerals for the Legion and VFW.

Tony enjoyed carpentry, collecting stamps and knives, reading newspapers and the bible, riding his Harley Davison, American History, Native American History and animals, especially his two dogs, Christian and Sophia.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, the former Barbara Harding, whom he married on June 15, 1963, in the former St. Francis of Assisi Church, North Adams; two sons, Michael Donovan of Oregon, Anthony Donovan, II of Readsboro, VT; his daughter Pamela McHale of East Greenbush, NY; six grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his grandson Michael A. Donovan, Jr., and by his brother, Matthew J. Donovan.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 8th at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire. (Please go directly to the church)

Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery, Adams.

Calling hours are Monday from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St., Adams.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to the Adams Post 160 American Legion, 160 Forest Park Ave. Adams, MA 01220.

To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com.