John Donovan ’86

John died Jan. 24, 2022, of heart failure. He was 58. 

He went to Weymouth North High School in Massachusetts. At Princeton John studied chemical engineering and was captain of the lacrosse team. After graduation he worked for ICI-Americas and later for Dupont. He earned an MBA from Duke.

John retired in 2020 and enjoyed sailing, skiing, and collecting. He was active in his community, coaching youth and high school hockey and lacrosse for decades. He was an orange-and-black fixture at his daughters’ Princeton field hockey games and tailgates, truly embodying the Tiger field hockey family. He will be remembered for his generosity of spirit and welcoming personality. 

John is mourned by his large family: his wife Katy’86; his children Kaitlin ’10, Amy ’13, Billy (Cornell ’15), Annabeth ’19, Danny (Cornell ’19), and Claire ’23; his grandchildren; and his brothers Paul ’87 and Mark ’90.