Dennis Donovan

Dennis Howard Donovan, 85, passed away February 21, 2018 in Chattanooga, TN. Dennis was born in Pittsburg, PA on June 13, 1932 to Dorothy Howard and James M. Donovan. He was a lifelong and devout Roman Catholic and until recently had been a longtime member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nashville. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in forestry. After serving two years in the Army, he started his career planting pine trees in Alabama for Bowater. Moving to Chattanooga, he was a land appraiser for TVA for many years. He had many stories of walking the forests of the Tennessee Valley, including once being held at gunpoint by moonshiners he stumbled upon. He then transitioned into real estate appraising and he finished up his career as an appraiser for Nashville Metro Property Assessor Office. He was very active in Tennessee Right to Life and Safe Haven Family Shelter for many years. He married his life long love, Yvonne (Dolly) Fino in 1955. They were married 62 years until her death in September, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, James M. Donovan. He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Faulkner (Bill), sons, Dennis Donovan (Karla), Denver, CO, James Donovan, Lexington, KY, Gery Donovan and his daughter, Colleen Carboni, Chattanooga, TN. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Erin Carboni, Matthew Carboni, Rachel Baldwin (Adam), Joseph Donovan, all of Chattanooga, Jacqueline Donovan, Seattle, WA, and Denny Donovan, Keise Spaulding (Eric), Abigail Donovan, and Kaitlin Donovan, Kari Donovan of Denver, CO, and his great-grandsons, Athens Carboni Boykin and Andrew Baldwin. Many special thanks to Elmcroft of Shallowford and Hearth Hospice that provided wonderful and loving care in his last days. The family is truly grateful. Visitation will be Saturday, March 3 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1219 2nd Ave South, Nashville, TN at 9am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10am. Interment will follow at Calvery Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Safe Haven Family Shelter, 1234 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN 37210.Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, www.phillipsrobinson.com 2707 Gallatin RD (615)262-3312