Traynor Joseph Donovan
Born In: Ingonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed in: Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Passed on: April 18th, 2011
It is with broken hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Traynor Joseph Donovan at his home in Glace Bay on Monday, April 18, 2011.
Born in Ingonish, Traynor was the son of the late Florence Beatrice Doyle and Thomas James Donovan.
Traynor’s mother passed away when he was only five years of age. Traynor and his siblings were then cared for by his grandparents, Joseph Doyle and Margaret (Young) Doyle who he was very close to. Later to prevent the children from going to foster homes, Traynor’s half brother, Duncan Donovan and Traynor’s aunt, Frances Cooke, who lived in Sydney, where Duncan was a fulltime employee of the Sydney Steel Plant, moved back to Ingonish to raise the children and keep the family unit together. Traynor became particularly close to his half brother and aunt, Frances.
Left to mourn are his sons, Traynor (Valerie), Oromocto, Donnie (Janice), Glace Bay; daughters, Anne (Simon), Glace Bay, Mary (Clifford) Desveaux, Glace Bay. Also surviving are his treasured grandchildren, Kyle, Connor, Emily, Evan, Robbie, Brandon, Patrick, T.J., Brian and Wayne; great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, T.J., Owen, Charlotte and Tyson; brother, Leo, Ingonish and many nieces and nephews.
Traynor was predeceased by the love of his life, wife, Anne (Keylor), who he adored, and a son, Thomas. Traynor was also predeceased by brothers, Earl, Isadore and sisters, Irene and Theresa.
Traynor left Ingonish at the age of 14. He arrived in Sydney working odd jobs. As he grew older, he worked as a crane operator at the Sydney Steel Plant. In the mid 1950s, he became manager of Scotts Hardware in Ashby where he met his longtime best friend, Joe Waye. Together they started the country and western band, the T.R. Ranch Boys that ruled the radio and TV airways for 10 years in the 1950s & 60s. Traynor was hired by CJCB TV in 1966 which later became ATV & CTV until he retired after 25 years of service in 1991. One of Traynor’s biggest thrills was meeting and becoming friends for over 40 years with his boyhood music idol, Hank Snow. Traynor was often referred to as Cape Breton’s own version of Hank Snow and was widely known as a pioneer in music in Cape Breton. In 1996 the T.R. Ranch Boys won an ECMA for pioneers in country music.
However, the most important part of Traynor’s life was that of a family man. He always put family first, especially his beloved wife of 53 years, Anne, who he adored. Traynor was a man of deep faith and although he loved and lived life to the fullest his strongest love was to be one day be reunited with his beloved wife, Anne.
He will be sadly missed by family and friends and as Traynor would always quote a Hank Snow song, “I’m movin on”.
Visitation for Traynor Donovan will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, 5-9 p.m. in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve St., Glace Bay. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday, April 25 at St. Anne’s Church, Glace Bay, with Fr. Bill Rankin officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. A luncheon will take place in the church foyer, all are welcome.
Family flowers only please. Donations in Traynor’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.
Online condolences to the Donovan family are available through www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
