Obituary of William Carroll Donan

William “Bill” Carroll Donan passed away on Monday, April 18 at 70 years old. He was predeceased by his parents, Holland and Nancy Donan and his in-laws James and Katherine McPeak. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Theresa “Terry” McPeak Donan children; Christopher (Rachel) Donan of Southlake, Texas, and Alison Donan of California, Maryland; and grandchildren, Evelyn Donan, Amelia Donan, and Charles Donan. He also leaves behind siblings Ann (Wally) Davidson of Boca Raton, Florida; Katie (Mike) Kelly of Farmington Hills, Michigan; Susan (David) Carlson of Brielle, New Jersey; Mary Ellin (James) Carmelitano of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Elizabeth (Thomas) Chambers of Barnegat, New Jersey; Thomas Donan of Brick, New Jersey; and Peter Donan of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Also surviving are in-laws Glenn (Debbie) McPeak of Sarasota Florida; James McPeak of Mattituck, New York; Melissa (Thomas) d’Alessandro of Bellmore, New York; and Laurie Limitone of Port St. Lucie, Florida. He also leaves behind over 30 nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Bill was born on April 13 in Williamsburg, Virginia, and grew up in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. He graduated from St. Peter’s Preparatory School and went on to graduate from Georgetown University in 1975 with a degree in Business Administration. He was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He raised his family in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Staten Island, New York, Farmington Hills, Michigan, Las Colinas, Texas, and Sparta, New Jersey before retiring in 2021 to Morris Plains, New Jersey with his wife, Terry.

Bill was known and loved as a big man with a big sense of humor and an even bigger heart. He had a passion for basketball and helping other people. His family will be honoring his life at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel at 75 Ridgedale Avenue in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey at 10 am ET on April 27, 2023. For those who cannot travel to attend the service in person but would still like to participate, there will be a live stream available at https://ndcarmel.com/livestreaming.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Bill Donan to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, Massachusetts 02284 or via jimmyfund.org/gift. 

Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.