David Patrick Donovan

David Donovan died on the 9th of April 1999, after a brave and determined fight against cancer. He was only 51 years of age.  

David was the son of a Belmont Old Boy, Patrick Donovan. He went to Alderwasley Hall, our preparatory school near Matlock in Derbyshire, and then came on to Belmont in 1960, where he was for five years. He joined Vaughan House shortly after its foundation, and went on to be its first House Captain not to have been transferred from another House. He was also Captain of Rugby.  

From Belmont, he went to Trinity College, Dublin, where he got his Science degree. While at TCD, he played regularly for the first team, and had an Irish Universities Trial, which was the equivalent of an Irish Trial. Returning home, he played for Headingley’s first team and Yorkshire. His job took him to London, where he settled, and founded his own firm which specialised in computer  maintenance. He then joined London Irish and represented them. He was one of the founding members of The Irish Exiles and remained their secretary until his death.

David was married to Sally. They have two daughters, Clare and Kate. The funeral was at St Francis de Sales Church in Hampton Hill, and was attended by over 450 people. Abbot Mark presided at the ceremony, and the tribute to David was paid by his friend David Donnelly.  

We offer all our sympathy to Phyl and Pat, his parents, and to Sally, Kate and Clare. May he rest in peace.