Brian Michael Donovan

Mike peacefully passed away on August 5th, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. Mike was born in Port Gamble, Washington to Clyde A. Donovan and Beatrice "Bea" Briggs Donovan. Mike's family was living in Kingston at the time so the logging hospital at Port Gamble had to suffice.
Mike had a confidence about him and was blessed with the gift of gab, a quick wit, a great sense of humor and an infectious smile, not to mention the ever-present twinkle in his eye. He made friends easily, loved to make others laugh and was quick with a joke, even if it was at his own expense.
Mike was a lifelong resident of Seattle, attending Saint Benedicts, Blessed Sacrament, Seattle Prep and Saint Martin's University. Mike served in the United States Army, Alaska Communications Systems in the Aleutian Chain, and in the US Navy Reserve at US Naval Air Station Sandpoint, Seattle.
The Kingston area, again, played a major role in Mike's life when he met his future wife, Martha "Marty" King on the beach in Indianola. They were married on February 20th, 1960. They had two children, Lindy Ann born in 1961 and Brian Michael born in 1964, and enjoyed a 57-year marriage until Marty's passing in 2017.
Though Mike's career took them to Portland, Oregon, and Southern California, the couple were loyal Seattleites and returned to the area in 1966 to raise their family. In 1971 Mike and Marty traded their suburban life for acreage in Duvall, known as "The Farm" by family and friends. The next several years were spent embracing the rural life complete with cattle, chickens, pigs, and horses. Mike was an excellent farm hand and became chief truck driver and groomer during Lindy's horse showing years.
During their time in Duvall, Mike became a certified EMT and served for several years as a volunteer in the Duvall Fire Department. He could also be seen behind the plate as a volunteer umpire for Snoqualmie Valley Little League.
In retirement, and no longer having any "ranch hand" duties, Mike and Marty spent numerous winters enjoying the beaches of Maui. It was truly a shared paradise for them. Wanting year-round sunshine, in 2005, they moved to Tucson, Arizona where their son Brian lived. In Tucson, Mike was able to revive his passion for golf! He joined a golf club and played several times a week.
Mike was a voracious reader and an avid sports fan (especially all teams Seattle!) He had a vast attention span and was regularly seen reading several books and watching/listening to multiple games at the same time.
After Marty's death, Mike moved to Foss Village in Seattle where he made a new group of friends in both the residents and staff. Here he continued his passion for reading and sports, becoming the "go to" guy for all sports scores and updates. Outings in the Foss van, lunches at Ray's Boathouse with his children, and coffee with his childhood friend, Bill Gill, were among the activities Mike most enjoyed.
Mike was preceded in death by his brother Patrick Michael, and wife Marty. Mike is survived by his sister, Michele Donovan Leamy (Walter), his daughter Lindy Donovan Odland (John), his son Brian Michael Donovan II, his grandchildren Danielle Donovan, Michael Odland (Jamie) and Elisabeth "Sis" Odland, his great-grandchildren, Briggs Odland and Georgia Odland and his life-long best friend, William "Bill" Gill.
The family would like to thank the staff at Foss Village for their excellent care and compassion, especially Blake, Mary, Asse, Cynthia and Gilbert and his hospice nurse from Continuum Care, David.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 27th at 2:00 PM at 22128 Paradise Lake Road, Snohomish, WA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Northwest Literacy Foundation (4842 NE 42nd St., Seattle, WA 98105)

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Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home - Seattle, Washington

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