Obituary: The Hon. W. Denis Donovan

From Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home

The Honorable W. Denis Donovan, a lifetime resident of Harrison, passed away October 18, 2020, at age 88.

Judge Donovan was born June 14, 1932 to Former Harrison Police Chief, William Walter & Mary Donovan. He attended Iona College on a track scholarship and then Judge Donovan faithfully served in the US Marine Corps and entered “Boot Camp” in Paris Island, SC in 1952 when he was commissioned and served as an Artillery Officer. In 1956, upon request, he was transferred to the Marine Corp Active Reserve and retired in 1976 having attained the rank of LT Colonel. Judge Donovan took tremendous pride in his service to his country.

At the advice of his wife Joan, he attended Fordham Law School where he received his Juris Doctor in 1959. For 9 ½ years he was a trial lawyer at the White Plains firm, King, Edwards & O’Conner, spending 4 ½ of those years as a partner. In 1969 Judge Donovan entered his own practice in Harrison, the town he loved so dearly. He was elected Town Justice later in 1969 and was reelected to that position.

In 1974, Judge Donovan received appointment to the Westchester County Family Court and would later be elected to a 10-year term there. He was subsequently elected to a 14-year term to the NYS Supreme Court in 1982 and re-elected to that position for another 14-year term.

His years of service to the bench exceeded 40 years and he would retire from the NYS Judiciary having earned the respect of all who knew and worked with him.

Judge Donovan married Joan (nee Gannon) in December of 1954 and they raised their two daughters, Joan Deborah & Maryclaire in Harrison.

St. Gregory the Great RC Church was a sacred place to the Judge as he began as a young altar boy and remained a parishioner throughout his life. He donated his time and talent to many parish events and causes as a lector, member of both the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society and Religious Education Teacher.

Judge Donovan is predeceased by his beloved wife Joan and his loving daughter, Deborah McAuliffe. He is survived by his cherished daughter Maryclaire Donovan Frank and her husband Fred, his son in law, Tim McAuliffe, grandchildren, Tara, Katherine, Ryan, Daniel, Meaghan, Gretchen and Kyle and great grandchildren, Oliver, Maura, Ashlyn, Braden, Erin, Andrew, and Sofia.

To honor Judge Donovan’s life, family and friends will gather on Thursday 4-8pm at COXE & GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME 767 E. Boston Post Rd Mamaroneck, 914-698-5968. Mass of Christian Burial Friday 11am at St. Gregory the Great RC Church followed by private committal.

Memorial donations can be sent to Edna L. Roker Social Adult Day Center. For more information or to place an online condolence, click here.