AUBURN — John D. Donovan, 97, of Auburn passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 22, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Calais on Oct. 18, 1919, a son of the late John W. and Annie (Gayton) Donovan. He grew up in the Calais area and attended local schools there. After his schooling, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during World War II completing tours in Italy and Africa.

After his honorable discharge from the military, John returned to Maine where he would reside in Lewiston. On June 28, 1951, he married the love of his life, Mignonne Boulet in Lewiston and they started a family together.

During that time, he worked for various mills and later on worked in maintenance for Lewiston Junior High School as well as driving school buses for Hudson Bus Lines until his retirement in 1982.

John was an avid reader and enjoyed sports. He cherished spending quality time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as often as he could. He was a loving man who will be missed greatly by all of them.

He is survived by his two daughters, Rita Vincent and her husband, Leo, of Auburn and Nancy Boilard and her husband, Daniel, of Lewiston. He also leaves behind his five grandchildren; Greg Vincent and his wife, Shannon, Kevin Vincent and his wife, Sarah, Kim Vincent, Crystal Boilard and her significant other, Kevin Lowell, and Michelle Winslow and her husband, Jerry; as well as his 10 great-grandchildren, Molly, Mya, Calvin, Gabriel and Elliot Vincent, Evan and Abigail Lovering and Cameron, Gavin and Owen Winslow.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Mignonne; a brother, Gerald; two sisters, Sr. Ann Mary Donovan and Dorothy McGovern; and his brother-in-law, Joseph McGovern.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. William Lee for his years of dedicated service and care to John.

Condolences may be shared at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

John D. Donovan