Intelligent, passionate, funny, curious, athletic, musical
Andy navigated the world with a keen mind and a wonderful spirit. Always hungry for knowledge, he would pursue his favorite topics with unrivaled passion. He was athletic, a talented musician, and a voracious reader who loved to travel. Most of all, though, he was a loving son and brother.
Andy began to show his intelligence and curiosity about the world around him at a young age. He had a “wicked sense of humor” and was popular with his friends. He could spend hours entertaining himself with imaginary baseball games, keeping stats on his favorite players, and running bases in front of his childhood home. His interest in music was also evident early on. “When he was little, he loved to stand on the hearth and strum the fireplace bellows as if it were a guitar,” Andy’s mom Jane remembers.
Andy’s competitiveness and his natural gift for music grew over the years. His intellect allowed him to graduate from high school a year early. While there, he was also in the school bands and played all three years on the varsity soccer team. During this time, he played the bass guitar as well as the saxophone and played in a local rock band called Mothers Magilicutti.
While at the University of Delaware, Andy played bass guitar with the UD Jazz Ensemble. His skills as a musician improved immensely during this time of his life. He focused his academic pursuits on world history and geography and received degrees in both subjects. His ultimate goal was to get a job with the United States Department of State so that he would have the freedom to travel the world and work on foreign policy. Andy spent a semester in Wellington, New Zealand which solidified his desire to explore and learn everything he could about the world.
Accomplishments aside, Andy was simply a fun person to be around. “Andy had a very dry sense of humor and a sublime appreciation of the ironic,” Andy’s dad, Dewey, said. “He marched to his own tune, enjoyed his independence, and was comfortable being by himself.” He enjoyed his family–playing cards and board games with his sister Lexie, and his brother Jack, and spending time with his extended family while at the beach in Avalon, New Jersey.
Over time, Andy’s struggles with addiction caused him to become isolated, depressed, and hopeless. He lost interest in athletics and competition, in his music, and in his relationships. Despite the hardships, his family was always right by his side, and always trying to help. Since his death, they have found ways to cope. Jane has been reaching out to others who have lost loved ones to addiction and helping to bring Into Light Project to Delaware.
“We have had to find ways to live with our grief, and our experiences have added strength to our relationships with each other,” said Jane. Andy’s family will always miss his wry sense of humor, excitement for life, and compassion.
Andy’s influence has extended beyond his family and friends. As a memorial to his incredible sportsmanship and kindness, his former basketball coach created the Andy Donovan Scholarship. It is a financial assistance program that provides opportunities for children who would otherwise be unable to participate in a sport. This is just one of the gifts and lasting impacts that Andy leaves behind.
Andy’s parents, Jane and Dewey Donovan, provided the information for this narrative.
April 15, 1983-January 2, 2012-Age 28
Portrait Artist: Theresa Clower
Narrative Writer: Scott Clower
