Obituary of John J Donovan

John Joseph. Donovan, IV, 45, of Washington Township, NJ died at his home on July 8, 2015. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of Jane R. Gardner of Washington and John J. Donovan, III and Patti Jo Donovan of Gibsonia, PA. His dad, Daniel H. Gardner predeceased him. At the early age of 15, John began honing his love of golf courses management at area courses. He earned his degree in horticulture and turf grass management from Delaware Valley College in Doylestown, PA. He was employed for over 20 years at Cherry Valley Country Club, Skillman, NJ. He was an active member of the GCSANJ and the national golf course superintendents' association and annually attended their conventions around the US with his golf course friends. He and his family loved to travel and he fulfilled his dream of seeing the pyramids in Egypt. He enjoyed cruising and visiting National Parks. He is survived by his loving and caring wife, Billie Jo Donovan and his precious daughter, Rachel Marie Donovan with whom he resided. His brother Jeffrey T. Donovan of Washington, his brother Michael Gardner and wife Nancy of Hackettstown, his sister Kathleen Lovering and husband Rod, his brother Daniel Gardner and wife Linda of Hackettstown will miss him. He also leaves behind his beloved grandmother, Marie Donovan and his uncle and aunt, Thomas and Diane Donovan in Pittsburgh, Pa and their children, his cousins. He was very close to and loved his in-laws, Bill and Twila Clifford of Columbia, NJ. In addition, he is survived by his uncle Thomas Roberts of Medford, NJ, his aunt and Uncle Patricia and Don Schanzlin of Phillipsburg, NJ and his aunt and uncle Len and Ann Clifford of Columbia, NJ. He is survived by his sister- and brother-in-law Tammy and Troy Houck and their children and his wife's grandmother, Susie Clifford. He had a large and loving family of nieces, nephews, cousins and long-time friends. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, July 14, 2015 from 5 PM to 9 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning, July 15, 2015 at 11 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in John's memory to the Knowlton Township Lion's Club, 568 Rt 94, Columbia, NJ 07832. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882.