Obituary

T. Paul B. O’Donovan, MD, of Chicago, formerly of Hinsdale, IL, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2014, in his home surrounded by his children. He is preceded in death by his parents James O’Donovan and Catherine Farrell O’Donovan, his beloved wife of 36 years Mona Quane O’Donovan (1998), and his beloved wife Carol Rauner O’Donovan (2013). He is survived by his children Hugh O’Donovan (Kate Movius), Cliona O’Donovan Besancon, Maeve O’Donovan (Paul Breines), and Emer O’Donovan (John Schrock); grandchildren Aidan O’Donovan, Kieran Besancon, James O’Donovan, Eamon Schrock, Ryan Schrock; siblings Aida Cullinane (Charlie), Deirdre Anthony (Tom), Fionnuala O’Reilly (Ronnie), Anthony O’Donovan (Mary), and Judy O’Hare (James); and thirteen nieces and nephews.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Dr. O’Donovan moved with his family to Cork after WWII. He graduated from medical school at University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, where he met his wife Mona. In 1962 Paul and Mona immigrated to the USA where Paul began a residency and doctoral program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Upon graduation, he became a full time member of the medical staff and teaching faculty. Dr. O’Donovan’s passion for physics and early research with NASA, under the direction of the Mayo Clinic, led to a lifelong interest in the development of medical technology and community education. In 1976 he left Minnesota for Chicago, IL, joining the staff at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park and forming a private practice with fellow Mayo Clinic alumni. He served on the medical staff and teaching faculty of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, as well as the medical staff and teaching faculty at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Hospital.
Dr. O’Donovan’s life was driven by excellence, progress and service to others. Unassuming and gracious, he was known to be a great thinker and an expert negotiator. Dr. O’Donovan served his profession in a variety of roles, including an unprecedented two terms as President of the Chicago Heart Association, President of the South Cook County Heart Association, President of the Mayo Clinic Global Alumni Association, Member of the Doctors of Mayo Society, Partner and fundraiser for the Irish Heart Association, Co-Founder and President Chicago Medical Computers, Director Department of Cardiology Little Company of Mary Hospital, Director Coronary Care Units Little Company of Mary Hospital, Sponsor and designer of the Heart exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, advocate for equality in health care (serving underprivileged neighborhoods in Chicago and across America), as well as contributor to multiple research publications. (Continued below)