A Celebration of Life for industry veteran Dennis Joseph Donovan will be held on Friday, Feb. 21 at 12:00 p.m. at Corral de Tierra Country Club in Salinas, CA. Mr. Donovan died Jan. 30 at 90 years old.
Denny Donovan, as he was called throughout his life, was born on Nov. 24, 1929, in Louisville, KY, but the family moved to California in the 1940s as his father, also Denny Donovan, pursued a career in the produce industry.
The original Denny (Dennis Bernard Donovan) spent much of his career on the retail side of the business, but Denny Joseph Donovan was a produce salesman for most of his career. The original two Dennys have been followed into the industry by two more, also on the sales side. Mr. Donovan’s son Denny is currently sales manager for Fresh Kist Produce in Santa Maria, while grandson Denny works as a broker in Santa Maria for C Lane Company of Birmingham, AL.
Dennis Joseph DonovanDenny Joseph Donovan graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and San Jose State University. He spent the early 1950s moving around California a bit following the crops as a salesman and broker. In 1956, the Donovan family moved to Salinas, as he began a 29-year career at The Garin Company, eventually becoming general manager. In 1986, he left Garin and joined Dole Fresh Vegetables, where he stayed for 15 years rising to vice president of grower relations-berries, until his retirement in 2001.
Son Denny recalls that his father did not really want to retire but he was over 70 and was somewhat put out to pasture.
“Everyone who has called me when they heard about his death have used the word integrity to describe my father,” Denny said proudly. “In this business, integrity is everything and it’s heartening to hear people say that.”
Longtime Western Growers Association executive Matthew McInerney remembers him well. “Denny Donovan was really a nice guy. He was smart and always an engaging gentleman, and a great mentor to me and so many of the produce industry sales professionals throughout his career.”
Jim Bogart, longtime president of the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California in Salinas said, “I believe I met Denny on Day 1 of my career more than 40 years ago. He was on the board of Grower-Shipper and was always very active and generous of his time. He taught me the ins and outs of the produce business and always had time for me and anyone else who asked. He was a real great guy. A typical Irishman -- very friendly, everyone liked him.”
On Mr. Donovan’s on-line memory page, friend and colleague Jim Bennett noted, “Denny was a man of true integrity and wholeness. A gentle giant, caring and always giving. He always brought us the most beautiful strawberries when I was with Hospice Foundation. Here's a strawberry toast to a wonderful man.”
Peter Garin of The Garin Company wrote, “The contribution Dennis made to The Garin Company was priceless. He steadied the course when the waters were rough, for that he is owed eternally. Speaking for my father and my family, we wish the Donovan family our deepest condolences. Dennis was truly one of a kind, a gentleman, always.”
Son Denny said following his father into the business seemed like a natural. “Here was a guy that dressed up nice to go to work every day, ate at all the fine restaurants, played golf two to three times a week and thoroughly enjoyed his career. What was not to like?” he quipped. “I grew up on a produce street in Salinas with a bunch of other families in the business. My dad and those guys were like the original ‘rat pack’.”
Denny said that his father and mother (the late Kathleen Rae McCauley) did give up some of their vices of the day and devoted the second half of their lives to helping others. They were married 47 years until her passing in 1998. They supported many causes that mattered to them both.
Mr. Donovan served on the Board of Directors for the Hospice Foundation of the Central Coast, sponsored countless members of Alcoholics Anonymous and helped many reconcile their faith at Cursillo. He was a founder of the Monterey County Business Council and a charter member of Corral de Tierra Country Club. He was also a devoted fan of the San Francisco Giants, and loved walking his dog, Gracie, on Carmel Beach.
Mr. Donovan is survived by his companion of two decades, Linda McKee, as well as his four children, spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many other members of his extended family. Denny Donovan said his father would be honored to have industry members attend his celebration of life service.
