The loss of a local legend: Shawsheen Tech wrestling coach Mark Donovan dies
Joy M. HosfordAfter training hundreds of athletes in the art of wrestling, family and loved ones said goodbye to prolific local coach, educator, and former law enforcement official Mark Donovan after what his obituary described as a, "...courageous and hard-fought grapple with cancer."
Donovan, 55, leaves behind his wife of 32-years Patricia Donovan, and two sons, Shawn and Matthew Donovan.
Donovan considered his crowning achievement in life to be his family, with the jewels in that crown his time spent as the head wrestling coach at Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School.
Calling hours will be held at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rt. 38, Tewksbury on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 3-8 p.m. A funeral mass has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Williams Church. Those planning to attend his Funeral Mass are asked to meet at the church.
Interment will take place at Tewksbury Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Donovan's memory to the Mark S. Donovan Scholarship Fund and mailed to Tewksbury Police Athletic League, 1215 Main St., Unit 103, Tewksbury, MA, 01876.
He started with the vocational school in 1986 at 19 years old, after graduating from Tewksbury Memorial High School where he himself was a wrestler.
During his 35-year coaching career, Donovan amassed 500 wins, 23 league titles, and coached 12 Division One State Champions wrestlers. Three of those athletes went on to earn New England Champion titles.
He was inducted into the Massachusetts Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A mentor and surrogate family member
One of those NCAA champions who considers Donovan as part of his family is Billerica resident and Shawsheen alum Jake Ferri.
Ferri who took part in the NCAA Championships in March had Donovan in the stands cheering him on the whole time.
"Seeing [Donovan] there made me ecstatic," Ferri said last spring.
Ferri started his wrestling career with Donovan as a Billerica seventh-grader.
From 4:45 a.m. car rides care of Donovan as a way to squeak in a before-school workout, to ongoing support in high school and college, Ferri said Donovan coached him through the majority of his life.
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Ferri said he flew back from Kent State University on Tuesday, Oct. 5, after hearing Donovan's condition was in decline.
He said at first he was nervous, not wanting to overstep during a difficult time.
But, after a few phone calls, and conversations with those closest to Donovan, the family opened their home to Ferri, which gave him the chance to connect and say goodbye.
"The first two days I was able to talk with him," Ferri said. "I just wanted to be there. He brought out the best in everybody. He has a genuineness to him that I am confident I won’t ever see again."
A Shawsheen legend
Donovan's achievements were never lost on the staff and administration of the Tech, the school marking his 500th win by renaming the gym in his honor.
The push for the dedication came from Ronald Fusco, Shawsheen Tech School Committee Vice-Chair, former Shawsheen science teacher, and close friend of Donovan.
Fusco said the dedication wasn't just about sports but what Donovan offered students in their academic and personal lives. Pushing them to succeed on the mat and to be better and more successful adults.
"Last June we all thought he could beat this thing," Fusco said on Oct. 12. "But he fought right until the end. The last time I saw him was in August, but [since then] my Joey had reached out to him. Now we're remembering the good times, I had the pleasure of knowing him for many years."
Dr. Brad Jackson, Shawsheen Tech superintendent/director, reflected on Donovan's career and impact in a recent letter to Ram families, praising his work with students who had him in their corner in the gym and in life.
"Throughout his 30-plus years at Shawsheen, Mark touched the lives of thousands of students, serving as a role model for many who needed a strong male presence in their lives," Jackson wrote. "As a colleague, Mark was adored as someone who was always eager to help a friend in need or who, despite his tough exterior, always offered kind words of encouragement."
Both of Fusco's children, Ronald Jr., and Joseph, trained and coached with Donovan. Joseph said he was a wrestler for Shawsheen from 2012 to 2016, and the loss of Donovan is not only tragic but "Leaves a tremendous hole, one that will probably never be filled."
"I have had a lot of coaches, but I never felt like anyone was as important as him," Joseph said. "Everything I learned stemmed and started with him."
A total "Dunny" move
Joseph said personal touch was one of Donovan's hallmarks as a coach and mentor.
From taking players under his wing when he sensed difficulties in their personal lives, to holiday cards that were more than a signature and best wishes, Joseph said Donovan made sure everyone knew they were important.
"He gave everything he had to the program and the kids. At Christmas, he would handwrite cards, probably 200, and full-length," Joseph said. "That was Dunny. He cared. He was a good coach, but a 10-times better human."
Locals remember
Support and love for the Donovan family flooded social media in the days after his passing from friends, family, educators, and local sporting organizations.
"Deepest condolences to the family of Coach Donavan of Shawsheen Wrestling," Wilmington High School's varsity hockey team tweeted. "More than 30 years pushing athletes to reach those goals. God speed Dunny."
"The matches between [St. John's Preparatory School] & Shawsheen were intense & respect-driven. I loved our matches but I loved our friendship more," St. John's Preparatory School wrestling Coach Manny Costa tweeted."I will miss our times together & wrestling against your team. Shawsheen will forever be Dunny. Condolences from SJP wrestling to Shawsheen & Donovan family."
Burlington High School's Head Wrestling Coach Paul Shvartsman said he had known Donovan since 1993 when Shvartsman was a Red Devil wrestler in Burlington.
"I think he connected to his kids really well," Shvartsman said. "He was tough as nails, hard-working, no flash, no extra nonsense. When you wrestled Shawsheen you knew every kid was ready for a battle."
Shawsheen teacher and fellow coach Kate Marshall kept her words about Donovan succinct, but passionate.
"There will never be another," she wrote. "I speak for thousands when I say, knowing you made me better."
Joy M. Hosford, Senior Multimedia Journalist, Billerica Minuteman
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