GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Bill Donovan, the father of Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan whose own basketball exploits propelled him to the Boston College Hall of Fame, has died. He was 85.

Bill Donovan died Saturday, according to the death notice posted by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home in Gainesville, Fla.

A native of Queens, New York, Mr. Donovan captained the Boston College basketball team and graduated in 1962 as the No. 3 scorer in school history. He was just the fourth 1,000-point scorer in BC’s history and known for his outside shooting, though he played before the NCAA implemented a 3-point line.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the school in 2000.

“They didn’t come any better than Billy Donovan Sr.,” former Celtics coach Rick Pitino said in an X post. “A Special Man in every sense of the word.”

Mr. Donovan was a first lieutenant in the Army and was married to his high school sweetheart, Joan, for 63 years. He built a career in the textile industry while settling with his family on New York’s Long Island.

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They had three children, including Billy, who helped Providence reach the NCAA Final Four in 1987 as a player and coached Florida to 14 NCAA tournament appearances in 19 years and back-to-back championships in 2006-07.

Mr. Donovan bought a house in Florida to be close to his son and family when he coached there. He was a behind-the-scenes presence to both the coach and the team.

“I can’t put into words,” he told ESPN in 2006. “This has kept me young, vibrant and the whole family active in basketball.

“I absolutely love being around the players and the coaches. I’m like the mascot.”

For the younger Donovan, having his father around then was a joy.

“I’ve always said my dad has never had a bad day in his life,” Billy Donovan told ESPN. “He’s always happy, energetic and has enthusiasm. He’s got the vigor for life and always had a smile on his face.”

In addition to his son and wife, Mr. Donovan leaves his sister Maureen, two other children, Susan and Karen, and 11 grandchildren.