Matthew J. Donovan, 57
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Matthew Joseph Donovan, 57, of 223 Franklin St. died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family and lifetime friends.
Born in North Adams on March 28, 1953, son of Robert and Lucy DeFazio Donovan, he attended McCann Technical School and graduated from Drury High School in 1971.
Mr. Donovan was employed at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for the past seven years as the supervisor of the linens department. Before that, he worked at the former Old Stone Mill Wallpaper Co. in Adams. He was an expert on all types of wallpaper and later worked at the company store, helping people from all over the country select the right designer paper for their homes. He worked there for 25 years and was one of the last two employees when it closed. He also had worked at North Adams Regional Hospital as a cook.
He was a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. He enjoyed cooking, reading, playing the guitar and the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. He loved the outdoors and always had a smile for friends and family. He always made you feel welcome and enjoyed telling jokes, said family, and will be greatly missed.
He and his wife, the former Diane Oparowski, were married July 19, 1975, in St. Stanislaus' Church.
Besides his wife of 35 years, he leaves two sons, Christopher Donovan and Ryan Donovan, both at home; a brother, Anthony Donovan and his wife, Barbara, of Adams and many nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mr. Donovan will be Wednesday, Nov. 17, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will be at a later date in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 6 to 8 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to his son's education fund in care of the funeral home.