William J. Donovan's Obituary
Hudson, Florida. William J. Donovan, 51, formerly of Amesbury, MA son of Theresa and the late John (Jack) Donovan passed away after a brief illness. Bill recently retired from the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) in Boston and moved to Hudson, Florida enjoying time with his parents.Bill was a talented cook who was constantly trying out new recipes in the kitchen or on the grill. His passion for the culinary arts resulted in a side line as one of the "Two Irish Caterers" with his cousin Janet O'Callahan. The two often used recipes handed down from their Nana O'Callahan. Bill enjoyed traveling to coastal Maine, Cape Cod and Florida with friends Michael and Ryan Pepe and Michelle Campbell. On trips to Florida to visit his parents, Bill brought along Pearl hot dogs for his dad.Bill had a unique sense of humor and loved to tell a new joke, promising to top previous jokes in his repertoire. Bill will also be remembered for his love of shopping at Haymarket with Sheila and visiting Disneyworld with Dennis Pothier and Sheila Beach. He was an avid sports fan who shared fond memories of taking the "T" from his childhood home in Somerville to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox from the bleacher seats. Bill spent many hours around the table playing cards and cribbage with his grandmother Sis.Bill was born in Somerville, MA on October 16, 1961. He attended Matignon High School in Cambridge, MA and graduated from U MASS Boston. After working for a short time in business management, Bill joined the MBTA following in his father's footsteps. During his time on the Blue Line, Bill played Santa at the annual children's Christmas party and rescued Charlie the "T" kitten from a Blue Line train one Thanksgiving. Bill was a loyal member of WUMB and an enthusiastic fan of Irish and American folk music. Bill leaves his mother Theresa, brother Paul and is predeceased by his brothers Bobby and John. Bill's aunts- Terri Donovan, Margaret O'Callahan, Eileen Ireton, Josephine O'Callahan, Frances Grady and Uncle John O'Callahan hold him in their hearts. Bill will be fondly remembered by cousins Kathaleen Hatfield, Maureen O'Callahan, Janet O'Callahan, Paula Stanton, Cheryl Alfano, Fred Ireton and Margaret Stewart, their families and friends.
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