168 ACADEMY AVENUE
PROVIDENCE, RI 02908
UNITED STATES
P: (401) 272-6363
F: (401) 223-6733
MOUNTPLEASANTFS@GMAIL.COM
Obituary of James Lester Donovan
Please share a memory of James to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
James L. Donovan, a lifelong resident of Rhode Island, passed away on October 2nd, 2020, in Woonsocket at the age of 77. Jim battled dementia, Parkinson’s disease for the last several years, and, more recently, lung cancer.
James was born in Providence on May 15th, 1943. He attended North Providence High School, served in the Air Force, then settled in Johnston, where he lovingly raised his family and resided for 48 years.
After having learned valuable welding skills in the service and working in the tool and die industry, Jim pioneered a new technology that he titled Microscopic Precision Tool Welding. He was the first person to weld under a microscope. He and his then-wife, Carolyn, started Advance Welding Service, Inc. in 1977. Clients from all over the U.S. and Canada respected him and relied on his expertise to repair their tools, dies, and molds for the plastics, jewelry, and medical industries. He also performed research for the space station’s heat exchange unit, contributed writings on his process to the trade, and repaired wheelchairs and canes pro bono for those in need.
Jim enjoyed spending time with his family going on day trips, vacations, art festivals, and spending time in nature. Some of his interests over the years included slot car racing, fishing, riding his motorcycles, photography, calligraphy, spending countless hours on Apple’s first personal computers and beyond, and was involved with The Small Business Development Center at Bryant University. He enjoyed a filet mignon with sauteed onions, buttered popcorn, and ice cream sundaes.
He was a brilliant man who greatly admired the wisdom of Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Nikola Tesla.
James was predeceased by his father Arthur Donovan and mother, Marguerite (Stafford) Donovan, brother Arthur ‘Bud’ Donovan, sisters Marguerite ‘Rita’ Blondell, and Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Bailey. He is survived by sister Elaine Miller, daughters Adriann (Donovan) Valiquette, Robin Donovan, son James A. Donovan, daughter in law Kristen Donovan, grandchildren Luc and Sidney Valiquette, Christopher and Charlie Cox, Zoe Donovan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter on October 17th with his family members. Mount Pleasant Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.
Donations can be made in his honor to the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, www.teslasciencecenter.org, (631) 886-2632.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of James Donovan, please visit our Tree Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for James
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Mount Pleasant Funeral & Cremation Service
Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event
Ongoing
Online Event
About this Event
In Loving Memory
James Donovan
1943 - 2020
Look inside to read what others have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book.
Services for James Donovan
There are no events scheduled. You can still show your support by planting a tree in memory of James Donovan.
Plant a tree in memory of James