The Reverend Richard Donovan, a devoted and long serving priest of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, was born on September 28, 1932 in Brooklyn to Timothy Leo and Joesphine Donovan. He grew up in Bellmore, NY with his parents, his brother Leo, and sister Joanne. Father Donovan’s vocation was rooted early at St. Barnabas Parish in Bellmore, where he served as an altar boy and graduated from St. Barnabas Catholic School. He earned scholarships to Chaminade High School, followed and then to Niagara University . After two years of study there, he entered Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington.

Before entering the seminary, Father Donovan was known for his strong work ethic and love of Jones Beach. As a young man, he delivered newspapers, earning recognition that included a scholarship to Camp Newsday. He worked as a counterman for the Jones Beach Catering Corporation. He also worked in construction, helping to build the Marine Theatre at Jones Beach and the Roosevelt Raceway grandstand. On weekends, he served as a Jones Beach lifeguard.

In 1958, Richard Donovan was ordained a priest by Bishop Kellenberg for the newly established Diocese of Rockville Centre. He was the last surviving priest of that inaugural ordination class. Following his ordination, Father Donovan was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Elmont. In 1960, he was appointed Associate Director of Health and Hospitals, now Catholic Health . His parish assignments included Holy Family Parish in Hicksville (1964), St. Martin of Tours in Amityville (1969) and Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park (1971).

In 1977, Bishop John R. McGann appointed Father Donovan as Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish (his patron saint) in Hauppauge, making him the youngest pastor in the diocese at that time. He later continued his priestly service at St. Anne’s Parish in Garden City and finally Our Lady of Lourdes (OLL) Parish in Malverne up until 2020. Throughout his ministry, Father Donovan was known for his dedication to pastoral care, short and meaningful homilies, visiting the sick, steady leadership, and his quiet compassion.

His many passions included his family, golf, walks at Jones Beach, skiing and watching Jeopardy. He enjoyed playing golf in Europe and the United States, especially his weekly game with his fellow priests Dom Catrone, John Fitzgerald and Joe Pfeiffer on Long Island up until 2019.

Father Richard Donovan will be remembered with gratitude and affection by his family, brother priests, parishioners, friends, and all whose lives he touched through his faithful service. He is survived by his devoted sister Joanne Kossegi (husband Matthias), sister-in-law, Barbara, nephews Paul, John and Kevin Donovan, niece, Laure Donovan Bietz (husband Richard), Stephen Richard (wife Dorina) and Terrence Kossegi (wife Cristina), his grandnephews Timothy and Daniel Kossegi, and his grandniece, Celeste Kossegi.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to Niagara University or the Our Lady of Lourdes Malverne.

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