Obituary of Martin Joseph Donlevy

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MARTIN JOSEPH DONLEVY 
“Joe”
April 16, 1958  -  December 22, 2023

The Donlevy family is saddened to announce the untimely passing of their father, brother, and partner Joe Donlevy. Joe passed away peacefully on December 22nd after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Joe is survived by his loving sons, Matthew and Christopher; his devoted, long time partner Kari Harvey and her daughters Jaylyn (Zach) and Kennedy; his sister Mary (Doug Konkin) and brother Kent; his sister-in-law Patti Donlevy; brothers in-law Dave (Sue) Bouclin and Mike Bouclin, and sister-in-law Ann-Marie (Daryle) Latoski nee Bouclin; and nieces and nephews Urban Craig, Erin (Jorge), Mark, Jamie, Kelly, Andrew (Jenn), Brett (Derek), Kaitlyn (Craig), Shayne (Justin), Katie (Shane), David, and Colleen. 

Joe is predeceased by his parents Urban and Helen Donlevy; Claire, his loving wife of 32 years; his brothers, the Very Rev. Paul, Urban, and Rod; and his in-laws Jean and Marg Bouclin.  
Joe’s life centered around service: to his family, to his community, to the province of Saskatchewan. Above all else, Joe’s main purpose was to leave things better than how he found them. This call to service was the keystone of Joe’s well-lived life on Earth.

Upon graduating from Holy Cross High School in 1975 and St. Thomas More College in 1978, Joe went on to conquer the skies as a bush pilot in Northern Saskatchewan. Whether the load was fuel, supplies, or people, no trip was insignificant. They needed Joe, and he was prepared to deliver. This pluckiness served him well during his education throughout the inaugural Master of Business Administration program at the Haskayne School of Business in Calgary, from which he graduated in 1988.

Joe was an important member of the business community for the better part of 30 years – from Western Cheque Printers to Medallion Pipe, to the innumerable start-up ventures he pursued. While a successful businessman, his greatest call to service came with his role in government. For 10 years, Joe served as the Chief of Staff to Premier Brad Wall, overseeing and guiding the incredible growth and upward trajectory of Saskatchewan. Joe was a master of empowering those around him and allowing them to shine. Despite his best efforts to not be in the limelight, his presence and poise was felt through the halls of the Legislature.  Joe was so well respected by his peers on both sides of the House that he was selected as part of the 2022 Saskatchewan Electoral Boundary Commission, which swiftly and successfully redrew the electoral constituencies in a fair and balanced manner.

Being a man of deep faith, Joe was always happy to serve the church whenever possible. One of the greatest gifts Joe shared with us was his wonderful musical abilities. Walking in his father’s footsteps, Joe directed and sang with several choirs in parishes around Saskatoon with his wife Claire accompanying on the piano. Many times, Joe would be volun-told to direct at the parish where his brother Paul was presiding. Of course, with Joe being Joe, he would oblige and deliver incredible music and direction to whatever choir that may be. 

The love for his family, his undying faith, the dedication to his craft, and his drive to ameliorate the lives around him propelled Joe onward until his peaceful conclusion. His wit, his razor-sharp mind, and his undying affection will be truly missed. He walks with the angels.

The Donlevy family wishes to thank Fr. Stefano Penna for his spiritual guidance and for shepherding Joe along the way. We also wish to thank the staff at the Hospice at Glengarda, Dr. Das, Clay from Palliative Homecare and the cancer team that helped Joe over the course of his journey to paradise. The nurses at Glengarda are angels among us, who ensured that comfort and compassion came first during Joe’s final days.

Prayers for Joe will be held on Wednesday, December 27th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 720 Spadina Cres., Saskatoon. The Funeral Liturgy will be Celebrated on Thursday, December 28th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 217 Lenore Dr, Saskatoon. A live stream option is available for the Funeral Liturgy. There will be a reception following the Funeral at the Sheraton Cavalier, 612 Spadina Cres., Saskatoon. There will be a private family committal at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. Paul's Hospital Foundation, 1702 - 20th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 0Z9, to The Hospice at Glengarda through the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation, or to St Thomas More College, 1437 College Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W6.