Robert John Donovan Jr.

DONOVAN, Jr., Robert John, 62, of Tampa, passed away on January 12, 2016 at Tampa General Hospital after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Born in Danbury, CT on November 17, 1953, and moving to Tampa with his family in 1960, Bobby was an exceptional child, performing at 15 year old level at the age of 8. A huge fan of James Bond, Mad Magazine and Action Comics, he produced home movies, starring his family and friends. He excelled at chess, and loved his childhood home on Davis Islands. He attended the Boys Academy of the Holy Names, Jesuit High School, Adelphi Academy and Hillsborough Community College. Despite Bobby's genius IQ, deep religious convictions, artistic and creative talents and (often mischievous) sense of humor, he struggled with paranoid schizophrenia. A lifetime of psychiatric treatment, including shock and antipsychotic medication, took a great toll, ultimately leading to kidney disease and dialysis. After the passing of his parents, he lived in an assisted living facility in Tampa. He continued to draw for his friends and family, mailing newsletters several times a year (and he continued to win at chess whenever he played.) Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Phil (Philomena) and Bob Donovan. He is survived by his brother Joseph (Joey) Donovan and Joey's wife Patti Adomaitis. His Aunt Joan Donovan, cousin Donna Ireland, Michelle Adomaitis, Colleen Adomaitis, friends Kimberly Maddison, Carol Nieman and ALF roommate Brad Keenan were his family and supporters in his final years. Special thanks to Fresenius Medical Care of Carrollwood, where Bobby received dialysis. They cared for him "above and beyond", kept track of him, even sent a Sheriff’s Department helicopter looking for him one day when he got on the wrong bus to go home.... just like the day he took the family fishing boat out into Tampa Bay when he was a kid.... :) In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bobby's name to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Hillsborough County at (813) 273-8104, www.namihillsborough.org, or NAMI Hillsborough P.O. Box 17856 Tampa, FL 33682.