Donovan Edwin Todd Jr. Hemlock, Michigan Passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018. Age 89 years. Don was born in Caribou, Maine on March 25, 1929, Son of Donovan and Bessie (Buzzell) Todd.
Don graduated from Caribou High School in 1946. He joined the Navy and served on the USS Oregon City, a heavy cruiser in the Atlantic Fleet. In 1948 Don married Joyce Fern Elaine (Thibodeau) of Perham, Maine and settled in Charleston, Maine where they raised their five children (Debra, Barbara, Thomas, Donovan III and Decker).
A loving and supportive husband and father with a “good sense of humor”. During his life, Don operated a dairy farm, raised broiler chickens, plowed snow for Dow Air Force Base, and then worked in the carpenter shop for approximately 5 years. In 1973, Don earned a Grade III Engineer’s Boiler Operator License and was employed in the heating plant at Charleston, Maine Radar Site where he eventually took charge of the heating plant.
In 1971, Don and Joyce made the decision to turn their farm land in Charleston into a 9-hole golf course, known as Todd’s Valley Golf Course, which they operated for approximately 19 years. This proved to be a very rewarding experience enabling them to form many long lasting friendships. After retiring from operating the heating plant (Civil Service), Don and Joyce purchased a seasonal home in Zephyrhills, Florida, within the Spanish Trials Senor Village, where they spent winter months enjoying square dancing, playing cards, golf and other activities.
Joyce passed away July 5, 1995. In 2009 Gladys Ducharme of Hemlock, Michigan became a very special companion. Don enjoyed Gladys’s family and spending summers in Michigan.
Don’s life was deeply enriched by the love of Joyce and Gladys. Don was a member of the ELKs Lodge #2731 and Moose Lodge #2276 of Zephyrhills, Florida. He was also a member of the American Legion of Corinna, Maine and the Eagles Lodge in Saginaw, Michigan.
Surviving are his sisters, Barbara Foster and Myrtle Stevens; his children, Debra and husband Edward Fontaine, Barbara and husband Louis Drake, Thomas and wife Victory, Donovan and wife Cynthia, and Decker; 6 grandchildren, Debra Drake, Louis Drake, Holly Todd, Kimberly Thurber, Emily Bordes and Hannah Todd; 3 step grandchildren, Victory (Tory) Glenar, Faron (Bud) Allen and Shari Allen; 5 great grandchildren, Brianna Thurber, Nola Payette, Lucy Bordes, Alice Drake and Finnigan Smith. In accordance with Don’s wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2018, at the Hemlock-Merrill V.F.W Post 7302, 17595 Gratiot Road in Hemlock, MI.
Pastor Dave Boillat will officiate. Grave side service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery on the Campbell Road in Garland, Maine will be held at a later date. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Donovan E. Todd, please visit our Tribute Store.
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