George D. Donovan

Rye - George D. Donovan, 93, of Rye, New Hampshire and formerly of Andover, MA, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 15. Married 66 years, he was the devoted husband of Marie (Geary). Born and raised in Lawrence, MA, George was the son of John and Winifred (Cutter) Donovan. George graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence and went on to graduate from The College of the Holy Cross and attend Harvard Business School. He proudly served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. George lost both his parents at a young age, and this shaped the man he would become, forging a fierce independence, charting his own course in life, with family at the center. He was, above all and to the end, “his own man.” As a young man, George was strong and active. Drawn to the New England seacoast, he was a lifeguard at Salisbury and Hampton beaches during his college years, and later the head lifeguard at Hampton Beach. He was an avid sailor with his beautiful boat Mariah moored in Rye Harbor for over three decades. He was an accomplished skier who enjoyed skiing throughout the US and especially the Arlberg region of Austria. George maintained an active and healthy lifestyle -- swimming, running and biking well into his 80s. While George worked in the defense industry for 15 years, he ultimately built and ran his own clothing manufacturing and importing business. His business revolved around the ski industry, which enabled him to combine his passion for sports and love of travel into a successful career. With his wife Marie, he raised five sons. Together, they were role models for family, faith, and experiencing life to the fullest. George is survived by his wife Marie, sons John (Kathleen) of Wellesley, George (Mary) of Seabrook Beach, William (Carilyn) of Andover, Daniel (Erin) of Andover, and David (Rich) of Conover, North Carolina. He leaves 9 grandchildren, Daniel (Holly), Sarah (Peter), John (Wendy), Meghan, Brigid, Cara, Catherine, Liam, and Brenna, along with 3 great grandchildren, Aurelius, Harvey and Rhys. Services will be on June 30, visitation at Remick & Gendron Funeral Home in Hampton, NH 8.30-10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Rye, NH at 11.00 a.m. Burial with military honors will take place immediately following the Mass at Central Cemetery, 20 Central Road, Rye, NH. To attend the funeral Mass remotely, please use the link below on the day and time of the service. https://sainttheresachurchrye.org/live-stream/ In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Lawrence Catholic Academy 101 Parker Street Lawrence, MA 01843 www.lawrencecatholicacademy.net/ or Harborside Hospice Foundation PO Box 930 Haverhill, MA 01831 www.harborsidehospicellc.com/donate

George D. Donovan

February 2, 1932 - June 15, 2025