DONOVAN, JOHN FRANCIS of Jamaica Plain died at his residence on January 30, 2008. He was born on March 10, 1930 the son of the late John J. and Mary (Curtin) Donovan who had emigrated from Clonakilty and Fermoy, Ireland respectively, in 1913. Mr. Donovan attended Boston Public Schools and completed studies at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He was ordained to the Priesthood on February 2, 1956 by the late Richard Cardinal Cushing. During his 19 year ministry he served parishes in the communities of Somerville, Scituate and Watertown. Later Mr. Donovan pursued studies in the field of law and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Suffolk University Law School in 1974 and a Master’s in Taxation from Boston University Law School in 1978. In 1975 Mr. Donovan was appointed by the late Suffolk County District Attorney Garrett Byrne as an Assistant District Attorney. He eventually went into the private practice of law. Mr. Donovan is survived by his wife of 29 years The Honorable Elizabeth Bowen Donovan, Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, his niece Christine Flynn Finn, a grandnephew John M. Finn and a grandniece Natalie K. Finn all of Northborough. He was predeceased by his sister Mary “Polly” Donovan Flynn of Canton and his brother The Reverend Paul V. Donovan, Pastor of Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston. He is also survived by a number of cousins. During his lifetime Mr. Donovan found tremendous enjoyment in literature, the arts, classical music and sports. He had an abiding faith in God and a love for the Roman Catholic Church. Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury , Wednesday, February 6 at 10 am.
Visiting hours Monday 4-8 pm and Tuesday 3-5 pm. Followed by a Funeral Mass at 6 pm in the Holy Name Church West Roxbury. Relatives and friends invited. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery In lieu of flowers it is suggested that contributions be made to the Stephen P. and Dorothy E. Bowen Scholarship fund at the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School (Boston Boy Choir) 29 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 or VNA Network and Hospice, 175 Highland Street, Needham, Massachusetts 02494.