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Deacon William F. Donovan, a retired NYPD police captain served in the Korean War as a radio operator, died Aug. 31. He was 87.
Deacon Donovan served at St. Margaret’s parish in Pearl River. He was ordained by Cardinal O’Connor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1997.
Born in New York City, he served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in the 40th Division during the Korean War, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He worked for the New York City Police Department in the Emergency Service Unit before retiring as a captain in the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
He received his bachelor’s degree in nursing and worked at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
He was a member of several religious, police and veterans organizations.
Deacon Donovan is survived by three sons, William, James and Mark, and a daughter, Anne Marie Galantini; two sisters, Evelyn Lynch and Geraldine Herrity; and a brother, Vincent; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Florence, and his second wife, Margaret.
A Funeral Mass was offered Sept. 6 at St. Margaret’s Church in Pearl River. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
