Mr. Jerome M. Donovan

Jerome M. “Jerry” Donovan, 90, of Cliff Drive, Bristol, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on April 22, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Grace (Boylan) Donovan and their five children, Susan Gorbutt and her husband Alan and their daughter Alexandra of Bermuda; Mark and his wife Shirley and their children Matthew, Christopher and Sidney of Maine; Robin Sweet and her husband Albert and their children Aaron, Craig and Micaela of Warren, Maureen Kelly and her husband Neil and their children Maura and Neil of Narragansett; Tricia Garrahy and her husband Ted and their children Patrick, Ian and Conor of East Greenwich. Jerome was raised by his cherished mother Lillian Yaiser. He was a lifelong Bristolian and a 1938 graduate of Colt Memorial High School. He served in the Army during WW II where he was a platoon sergeant. Jerome was a humble and unpretentious man who received several military awards including the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for heroism. Jerome was a warm, kind and generous man who was devoted to his faith, family, community and country. He was beloved by all who met him and was always engaged with service to others. He took great pride in being from Bristol. He was a four year member of the Bristol Town Council, and served as Bristol Fire Commissioner. He was a member of the Bristol Democrat Town Committee. He was a delegate to the Democrat National Convention in 1988. Jerome was president of the Bristol Historical Society, president of the Bristol Rotary Clubs Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of Linden Place, and of the Bristol Bike Path Committee. He was a Grand Knight of the Bristol Knights of Columbus. He served as a president of the Bristol Chapter of the AARP. Jerome was the State Commander of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Elks Club and VFW. He volunteered for the Meals on Wheels and Mended Hearts organizations. He also was involved with the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration and was there Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July Parade in 2002; he received the Hattie Brown Award for his community service in 1994 and was the Patriotic Speaker in 1992. Jerome took initiative and responsibility in all his endeavors believing in the commitment to the well-being of others. He was employed for more the 30 years with the Outlet Company where he was store manager in its flagship Providence store for over 20 years. He also served as the president of the Dartmouth Mall and Warwick Mall. After his retirement he returned to public service for several years as assistant to Bristol Town Administrator Thomas Byrnes. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood St., Bristol, Monday, April 26 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Marys Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Marys Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. Visiting hours Sunday from 4:00-7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to RI Veterans Home “Chapel Fund” 480 Metacom Ave., Bristol, RI 02809 or a charity of the donor's choice.

Service Information Cemetery St. Mary's Cemetery Chestnut Street Bristol, RI --> Service Monday April 26, 2010 10:00 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 -->