Obituary of Eugene Thomas "Tom" Donovan

March 7, 2024 Eugene Thomas "Tom" Donovan, 90, of Marietta, passed away with his sons by his side after beating the odds with a number of health conditions throughout his life. Tom was born and raised on the Irish Westside of Syracuse. He grew up in the Tipperary Hill area and graduated from St. Patrick's high school. Tom moved out to Marietta in 1969 where he dedicated a lifetime to The Marietta House. He was known for his witty humor, and often stated he was "just the caretaker" when someone asked to speak with the owner. The Marietta House will continue his legacy being taken care of by his family.

Tom was a well read, proud Irishman with a myriad of jokes and life proverbs. His motto was, "Make work play and play all day"; this can be justified by the many employment opportunities he managed at once. Tom built and remodeled over 200 houses during his construction career, retired from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department as a Lieutenant and operated the restaurant all simultaneously. Tom attended St Jerome's University, Le Moyne College and Syracuse University. Everything he did was with exemplary action, structural integrity, and heartfelt craftsmanship which has left an imprint on all he encountered in his long life.

Know the workman by his work this honestly seen

Because you have always been the one lifter for the twenty who lean

For any job worth doing is a job worth doing well

Your face drenched with honest sweat for the world to tell

Pride in knowing you owe not any man resonates in the air

Always the workman forging through age and want the ill matched pair

Daring to be honest and fearing no labor, never resisting growing old because for many friends the privilege has been denied

Teaching death as something we all get to do while mourning the loved ones who have died.

But the eternal warrior spirit, love of wisdom and Fenian pride will forever burn bright

Eoghan born of the yew VirSuperHostem, you will forever be larger than life morn till night

Surviving are his partner of over 30 years Nancy Spaulding, sons Charles "Chuck" Donovan III (Kim) and children Charles IV "Cahal" and Brogan, Thomas "Todd" Donovan (Jennifer) and children Bailey Ramsden (Greg), Connor and Riley, and daughter Tara Lanning (Mike) and children Evan and Rachel; great-grandchildren, Dwyer, Eugene, and Bourke Ramsden, Kaleb and Wesley Lanning; several nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Donovan and Katherine (Burke) Donovan and his sisters, Abby Pirro, Connie McCarthy, Ann Donovan, Margaret "Peggy" Quinn and brothers, Charles II, Edward and Robert Donovan.

Please join the family in celebrating his life on April 14 from 1pm-4pm at the establishment he poured his heart and soul into, The Marietta House. The only request is to bring your witty banter "story" or memory to share how this amazing man touched your life. The stories will keep him alive in our hearts and continue his legacy forever.