William Donovan

Biography

Monson - Retired Navy Reserve Lieutenant Commander, William F. Donovan, age 90, died Monday, June 8, 2015 surrounded by his family. Bill was born November 15, 1924 in Springfield, MA to the late David F. and Bertha (Chamberlain) Donovan. He was a graduate of Monson Academy, Harvard University, and Boston University, where he earned his Masters of Education. Bill entered into active duty with the US Navy in 1943. He was a World War II veteran and remained active in the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1984. Bill married the love of his life, Kathleen E. Fleming, on Thanksgiving day in 1949. He worked for thirty-four years as an educator, serving the final fifteen years as Superintendent of the Monson school system. Bill was a member of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, the Council on Aging, the American Radio Relay League, the Monson Historical Society, and the Consolidated Club at Westover. He served as president of the Monson Rotary, chairman of the Monson Zoning Board of Appeals, and Commander of American Legion Post 241. He was a devout member of St. Patrick's Church, where he served on the Parish Council. Bill was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Monson Rotary in 2002.






Bill's wife of 65 years, Kathleen Donovan, passed away on May 27, 2015. He was also predeceased by his brother Robert Donovan and his daughter-in-law Ruth Donovan. He will be greatly missed by a son Kevin Donovan and his wife Mary of Kennebunk, Maine; daughters Kathleen Bergeron and her husband Stephen of Somerset, Mary Hajjar and her husband Peter of Hanover, Patricia Fleming and her husband Michael of Sidney, Maine; grandchildren David Donovan, Patrick Donovan, Erin Donovan, Maeghan Donovan Corbo, John Breth, Morgan Young, Kyle Bergeron, Molly LaCroix and her husband Eric, Kaitlyn Hajjar, Michaela Hajjar, Philip Hajjar, Samantha Fleming, Ryan Fleming; great-grandchildren Charlotte Bergeron and Aindreas Corbo; a sister Lillian Duquette and her husband Laurent; a sister-in-law Anna Donovan; and six nieces and nephews.



His family wishes to thank Nurse Emma Callahan at Marina Bay and the entire staff at The Kaplan Family Hospice House for their loving care at the end of Bill's life.





A celebration of life for both Bill and Kathleen will be held Sunday, June 14 from 12-4pm at The Neighborhood Club of Quincy, 27 Glendale Road, Quincy, MA 02169. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 15 at 11am in St. Patrick's Church in Monson. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Lombard Funeral Home of Monson has been entrusted with arrangements.