Mr. Donovan S. Small Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On Tuesday, April 29, 1952, Donovan St Claire Small, the first of three children, was born to the late Cyslin Elaine (McLaren) Small and Arnold Eustace Small in Savanna-La-Mar (commonly known as Sav-La-Mar or simply Sav) Westmoreland, Jamaica, West Indies. Donovan, aka: Joker, Rocky, Donni or The Don was always an avid reader throughout his life. He was also a lover of western shows/movies. Don was a soccer player in his youth as well. In his early educational years he attended Wolmer’s l in Kingston, Jamaica. He later migrated with his mother to the United States and lived at East 223rd St and White Plains Rd, Bronx, New York. While living in the Bronx, he attended Evander Childs High School. We use the word “attended” loosely because he could sit for and pass exams with minimal time spent in the classroom. After High School, he joined the US Army and served 3 plus years. Those of us who knew Donovan, know that we use the word “served” VERY loosely. During those educational, military years, and in the neighborhood on White Plains Road, Don made many lifelong friends. Don went on to work for different Companies - the most significant being IBM where he worked for approximately 11 years, and then at Verizon for 23 years where he met more lifelong friends. He retired from Verizon in 2012. On first meeting Donovan, you weren’t too sure what to think about this man, whether it was during his dreadlock or post dreadlock days, no matter what station one held in life, after getting to know him you realized you had an infectious love for him because you had the most loyal lifelong friend or neighbor you could ever imagine. No matter what, Don was always going to be Don and trying to get him to change his mind once set was mission impossible. At age 34, Donovan, who was already big brother to 2 younger siblings, now became a father to his Blessed and beloved Brittany, which was a huge life changing moment for him. But his proudest and most life changing moment was becoming a grandfather, Grandad to Brayden, aka Twister. During his later years, Don faced many challenges. He eventually decided to become a US citizen, gave up a vice or 2, and put a lot more faith in The Most High/in Father. He was thankful for what The Most High provided for him. Although we’re not calling him a religious man, he was definitely a man of faith and was always thankful for what he survived/endured in his youth to be able to enjoy his 70th birthday this year. One of his common statements was: “I’m going to do this because I don’t want to go to Hell.” Donovan’s sudden passing from this world at 9:02 am on June 6, 2022 leaves his blessed and beloved daughter Brittany, Grandson Brayden, brother Colin, Sister Judy-Anne, Sister-in-law Sadie, Nephews Colin II and Jared, grandnieces Channing and Kennedi, grandnephews Colin III and Chancellor, a slew of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins, friends and family-friends.

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Mr. Donovan S. Small

April 29, 1952 - June 6, 2022