Msgr. Edward James Donovan

Donovan, Msgr. Edward James MT. KISCO, N.Y. Monsignor Edward James Donovan entered into eternal life October 23, 2008 at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, N.Y. at age 80. Msgr. Donovan, having lived for many years in Mt. Kisco, graduated from St. Francis Grammar School. He continued his education at Cathedral College in NYC, the preparatory seminary for the Archdiocese of New York, graduating in 1948. After six years of study at St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., he was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 1954. Msgr. Donovan's assignments included Holy Name Mission in lower NYC, St. Frances of Rome in the Bronx, and 38 years as Catholic chaplain at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, N.Y. He also served as Catholic chaplain for the NYS National Guard, Rainbow Division for 31 years, retiring at the rank of brigadier general. His service as state staff chaplain overseeing the ministry of chaplain services for all the national guard divisions in NYS was highly commended. Msgr. Donovan also served as chaplain for the Knights of Columbus in the Fishkill, N.Y. area and as chaplain for the AOH in Mt. Kisco. At his retirement, he returned to Mt. Kisco where he assisted with priestly duties in the parish of St. Francis of Assisi. During his years of ministry at Green Haven, he undertook the building of a Catholic chapel, St. Paul in Chains, with the help of the inmates under the direction of professional contractors. To afford this project, he raised money by various fund-raising ventures including the collecting and redeeming of trading stamps. Special programs for cultivating the spiritual life of the inmates included Residents Encounter Christ (REC), built on the cursillo model, conducted three times a year with the assistance of men and women from other parishes. Other innovations which he introduced included Midnight Mass at Christmas, the midnight Easter Vigil, and inviting a bishop each year to confer the sacrament of Confirmation on the inmates whom he prepared, Mother's Day Mass and refreshments, Family Picnic Day for Holy Name Society members in good standing, and a monthly newsletter. In his ministry as state staff chaplain, he encouraged other National Guard Chaplains by holding an annual program for spiritual enrichment and service updating. He was generous in thanking the support groups of the REC programs and the Knights of Columbus. Msgr. Donovan is predeceased by his parents, Edward J. Donovan and Marguerite M. (Mannion). He is survived by his sister, Sister Marguerite Edward Donovan, CSJ and several cousins. His extended family includes the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Mt. Kisco and St. Patrick's in Armonk as well as the "graduates" of Green Haven and his friends from REC, NYS National Guard Chaplains, Knights of Columbus and AOH. Calling hours at Cassidy-Flynn Funeral Home, 288 East Main Street, Mt. Kisco will be Tuesday, October 28 3-9 p.m. with a Vesper Service at 7 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 2 Green Street, Mt. Kisco Wednesday 11 a.m. Interment in St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Mt. Kisco. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring the memory of Msgr. Donovan may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Church or to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y.