John J. Donovan Sr.

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Boston College College of the Holy Cross

John Donovan Obituary

(92) died on June 19, 2008 at the Newfield House in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He was born on February 8, 1916 in Roslindale, MA, the son of the late John Donovan and Sarah (Lamb) Donovan. He was a graduate of Hyde Park High School and later graduated from Boston College with highest honors. He previously resided in Roslindale, Shrewsury and Westboro. His career in law enforcement began in 1941 when he was appointed to the Boston Police Department. He retired in 1973 at the rank of Deputy Superintendent. He was then employed as Director of Security at Holy Cross College from 1973 until 1994. John J. Donovan was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen C. (Murphy) Donovan in 1993 and his son, John J. Donovan, Jr. ("Jack") in 1999. He is survived by his five daughters, Catherine Shaffer (husband Mike) of Brewster, MA, Sara McFarland (husband Richard) of St. Augustine, FL, Honorable Rita Hathaway (husband George) of Murrysville, PA, Patricia Casinelli (husband Frederick) of Plymouth, MA, and Maureen Mullins (husband Christopher) of Plymouth, MA. He is also survived by his thirteen grandchildren, Michael Schaffer, Tara (Schaffer) Galvin, Katie Schaffer, Sarah (McFarland) Cross, Andrew McFarland, John Hathaway, Jill (Hathaway) Hauck, David Casinelli, Lisa (Casinelli) Marsh, Daniel Casinelli, and Megan, Kathleen and Elizabeth Mullins, and twenty two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Rita Dorey of Wayland, MA and Kathleen Herlihy of Plymouth, MA. Funeral from the Cartmell Funeral Home, 150 Court St., PLYMOUTH, on Monday at 9:00 am, followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Peters Church, Plymouth, at 10:00 am. Visiting hours on Sunday from 4-7 pm only. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery in West Roxbury. Memorial Donations may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 20 Speen St., Framingham MA 01701. More info and online guestbook visit www.cartmellfuneralhome.com

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Published by Boston Globe from Jun. 20 to Jun. 22, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Donovan

10 Entries

john balger

June 26, 2008

Katie,
We offer our condolences to you and your family on the passing of your grandfather.
Love,
John & yen Balger

DEBBIE ADAMI

June 25, 2008

KATIE,
SO SORRY TO HEAR OF SUCH A SAD LOSS. OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
LOVE & KISSES.
AUNT DEBBIE & UNCLE LEO

Barb Byrd

June 25, 2008

Hi Katie--It's Mike's Aunt Barb & Uncle Morris. We send our prayers and condolences on the passing of your grandfather. From reading about him it sounds like he was a wonderful man. We're so sorry for your loss and send our love to you, Mike & Wyatt.

June 24, 2008

Dear Cousins,
We loved Uncle John and I am so sorry we couldn't be there with you for his services. We will always have fond memories of his visit to us in California.
Love, Barbara, Tom, and Family

Linda Bushey

June 23, 2008

Kathy, Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your brother. My prayers are with you and your family.
Linda

Phil Giunto

June 23, 2008

Dear Hathaway family. I am so sorry you loss someone so great and near to your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Giunto Family

Donna Fant

June 21, 2008

Sara, Cathy,Rita, Patricia and Maureen - My condolences to you and your family on the loss of a great man. He was proud of all his children and often spoke of you.
I was John's secretary for 19 years at Holy Cross. He was a really special person, a real gentleman in every sense. He had a big heart and cared deeplly for his fellow man.
I will always remember his wonderful stories (and regret that he never got them published as was his plan upon retirement).
I will remember him fondly.

J Bartinelli, Jr

June 21, 2008

Captain Donovan had a significant role in my ability to become a Newton Police Officer. I remain indebted to him and can only offer that he will ever be remembered.

Patricia Herlihy

June 20, 2008

Hi Cathy, Sally, Rita, Pat and Maureen,

I am truly sorry to hear about your Dad. As you probably all know it is one thing to anticipate one's father's passing and quite another to experience it. I thought of my Dad all day after I heard about John.

Unfortunately, I cannot get up for the wake and funeral, but Mike, Mark and Mom will be there. And I just wanted to share with all of you, something you may not know.

Jeffrey, my 20 year old son, adored your father despite not knowing him terribly well. Jeff desperately wanted to be a policeman like his Great Uncle John early in his life. Your Dad actually sent him the documentary on his work on the Boston Strangler Case and Jeff interviewed him for a paper for school.

Then one morning at 6 AM I received a call from your Dad about 4 years ago, just out of the blue. He sounded like I had just seen him yesterday. The reason for his call was Reets had told him Jeff was trying to get into Boston College. Your Dad offered his help. He spoke to Jeff, asked for all his school records and resume and had numerous calls with me and my guess many of his cronies. It was just so tender and unexpected.

So Maureen when you had the 90th birthday party and I couldn't make it due to Marissa's eye surgery. Jeff suggested just driving up from college and going himself. He had a ball and your Dad was a sweetheart to him and said: I really like you because you are so Big ( 6"5" and big)

Jeffrey called me last nite and was quite sad that one of his early heroes had passed. Jeff got your father's specialness and I wanted each of you to know that at this difficult time.

I will be in touch while up that way for the month of July..

Take care of yourselves. I know intimately what you are experiencing, as you watched me experience it about a year ago..... I have other stories about your Dad but will save them for when I can talk directly to you. They are very sweet and tender on how he took care of Mom who lost her way a few times in her life.... He was a Great Big Brother to her!

Thinking of each of you!