Obituary of Donovan Craven

Donovan Craven, 92, a longtime resident of Bedford, NY, died Saturday, December 15, 2018.  Don was born on May 27, 1926 to Helen (née Donovan) and Leslie Craven. He grew up in Winnetka, IL and in Bronxville, NY, where one of his great joys was learning to sail on Long Island Sound.  Don also spent part of his youth in Bellingham, WA, where both his parents were from. The Pacific Northwest remained a touchstone of majestic beauty for him throughout his life.  Don attended Deerfield and Andover academies.  He served in the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II.  After the war he earned a degree from Stanford University where he loved being a member of the university’s varsity crew.  Don then moved back east, attended Harvard Business School and worked for Alcoa in New York as a sales engineer.  Don and Avery Sylvester of Richlands, NC were married in 1954, and in 1956 they moved to Bedford where they raised their two daughters.  One of Don’s most satisfying activities was working with fellow citizens during the 1970’s and 1980’s to retain the rural character and ecological health of his beloved Bedford Village as part of the group, The Committee to Save Bedford.

Don and Avery were married for 64 years, and he is the father of Mary Kelly (Allan) and Catherine Craven.  He is grandfather to Catherine Ingalls (Jamie), Avery Kelly and David Kelly, and great-grandfather to Rowan Elizabeth. Don’s family meant everything to him. He was predeceased by his sisters Elizabeth Randolph and Frances Riggs.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice.