Richard J. Donovan, 90, of Winchester passed away Friday July 11th at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston after a brief illness. Mr. Donovan was born in Worcester, MA in 1917 to Richard and Cornelia (Gosselin) Donovan. His family roots trace back to Mayflower passengers Stephen and Elizabeth Hopkins. After public schooling in Worcester he entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute from which he graduated in 1938.
Upon graduating he first worked for construction contractors in the Worcester area; then for the Metropolitan District Water Supply Commission, performing survey work on the Marlboro-Southboro tunnel. Next was the Federal Power Commission in Washington, D.C., where he performed hydrologic studies incident to hydro power plant location. Then, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers he performed dam design on the St. Lawrence River, and location work on a high-voltage power transmission line in New York State and on an oil pipeline in Y. T., Canada.
Commissioned during WWII in the U.S. Naval Reserve he studied radar at Princeton University and at M.I.T., and served as electronics officer in a carrier-based air group. At war’s end he returned to Boston, and there over a six-year span worked for three different engineering firms. In 1952 he founded Richard J. Donovan, Inc., conducting a general practice in the design and construction of physical plant and facilities. Headquartered at Winchester, MA the firm operated branches in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Ireland. Clients were mainly industrials and electric utilities. For the latter his firm designed and fabricated steel poles and towers. The firm was active also in residential land development.
In Winchester Mr. Donovan chaired the Water and Sewer Board, and served on the Housing Authority. He was past president of the Winchester Rotary Club and of the Swim and Tennis Club, and was on the Board of the North Suburban Y.M.C.A. A long time member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, he was at one time registered as a professional engineer in thirteen states and was a licensed builder. Mr. Donovan was an avid swimmerand a member of New England Masters Swimmers. He participated in the World Masters Swimming Competition in Brisbane, Australia in 1988. He was also a member of Winchester Jumelage.
He was the beloved husband of Sally (Mittiga). Loving father of Mary Donovan of Acton and Richard J. Donovan Jr. of Kendallville, IN. He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Peggy M. Donovan a sister, Cornelia Donovan and a brother, Edward Donovan. A Graveside service will be held at the Wildwood Cemetery, Palmer St., Winchester on Tues. July 15th at 9:30AM. Visiting hours will be held in the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester on Mon .from 4-8PM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations in Dick’s memory may be made to the North Suburban YMCA, c/o Amy Turner, 137 Lexington St., Woburn, MA 01801 or to the Winchester Rotary Club, PO Box 288, Winchester, MA 01890