Charles J. “Charlie” Donovan, 89, a resident of Groveland since 1957, died Monday, Oct. 29 in Haverhill.
Born and raised in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Jeremiah and Frances (Rohan) Donovan. Educated in the Haverhill Public School System, Donovan graduated from Haverhill Trade School with the Class of 1948. He was employed in the Government Printing Office before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he was a member of the Sea Bees Construction Battalion, stationed aboard the USS Lindenwald. During his service, Donovan received the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Donovan joined the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier assigned to Georgetown for over 25 years, retiring in 1987. Following his retirement, he and his late wife, Sophie and his sons established a Christmas tree Farm in Groveland, known as C. J. Donovan and Sons Nursery.
A member of All Saints Parish of Haverhill, Donovan enjoyed hearing and passing on Irish tales, and had a lifelong interest in military history. He also enjoyed traveling to his Sea Bees reunions, pheasant hunting, saltwater fishing, and volunteering at the All Saints Parish Thrift Shop.
Predeceased by his beloved wife, A. Sophie (Delekta) Donovan, in 2012, he will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Charles J. “Chuck” Donovan, Michael J. and Ann Donovan, and Daniel J. Donovan, all of Groveland, two daughters and a son-in-law, Anne E. Yedkois of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Mary F. and David Sayers of New Ipswich, N.H., 10 grandchildren, Michael, Sarah, Krystin, David, Jeremy, Jennifer, Brandon, Darren, David and Kelly, and four great-grandchildren, Lily, Molly, Lucas and Quinn, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Thomas J. Donovan, and sisters Mary E. Buckley and Frances Cotton.
Relatives and friends are invited to Donovan’s life celebration to be held on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 4-7 p.m. at BERUBE-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral will begin on Friday, Nov. 2 at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations be made to The Ste. Vincent de-Paul Society of All Saints Parish, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill, MA 01832.