William E. Donovan

Man Of Many Talents

William E. Donovan, 37, of Sandy Hook died on July 5. Mr Donovan drowned while swimming with his family on Lake Lillinonah. His wife of 12 years, Lara Forcelli Donovan, and 8-year-old daughter Gabriella survive him.

Mr Donovan was born on June 7, 1973, and raised and educated in the Bronx. Since 1983 he spent most weekends at the home of his parents on Lake Lillinonah. His parents, Joseph and Dorothy Donovan, still reside in Newtown. His sister and brother-in-law Noreen and Peter Roth, and their sons Ryan and Brendan, are also residents of Brookfield and New York City.

Mr Donovan was a graduate of  Westchester Community College. He was a real estate developer, with his business based in the Bronx. He was also an entrepreneur and a man of many talents.

He was committed to living a healthy lifestyle and could be seen nearly every morning working out at Snap Fitness Gym in Newtown. He was a certified diver, an avid skier, and enjoyed restoring classic American cars. He enjoyed gardening and home improvement projects and when he was not working on a project in his own home, he could be found working in the homes of his parents or sister.

He was the youngest of four children. In addition to his sister, he is also survived by his brother Joseph, sister-in-law Suzanne and their three children, Joseph, James, and Bridget of County Longford, Ireland; and another brother, Daniel, sister-in-law Eileen, and their three children, Maggie, Aidan, and Raymond, of Scarsdale, N.Y. He is also survived by in-laws Rose and Philip Forcelli and brother-in-law Phillip Forcelli, Jr, of Valhalla, N.Y. Mrs Donovan is originally from Valhalla as well.

Family and friends gathered for a Christian funeral Mass to celebrating Mr Donovan’s life at St Frances de Chantal Church, the parish he grew up in, in the Bronx, on July 10. Interment followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla.

Mr Donovan and his family are members of St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown.

The Donovan family wishes to thank the rescue workers from Newtown, Brookfield, and Bridgewater for their efforts and their compassion.

A college fund has been arranged up for Gabriella. Donations may be made to Trust F/B/O Gabriella Donovan, c/o PTR INC, 460 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York NY 10022.

The Newtown Bee        July 16, 2010