William Joseph Donovan's Obituary
William “Bill” Joseph Donovan, age 85, of Gainesville Florida, passed away on February 14,
2026. Bill was born on October 26, 1940, to William and Catherine Donovan in Woodside,
Queens. He moved to Rockville Centre, Long Island, where he excelled as a basketball player
at St. Agnes Catholic School, and met his high school sweetheart Joan. His talents earned him
a basketball scholarship to Boston College, where he became team captain in his senior year.
He graduated Boston College as the third all-time leading scorer in school history and was
drafted by the Boston Celtics. He was inducted into the Boston College Athletic Hall of Fame in
2000.
He married Joan, in 1962, and entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant and
received an honorable discharge as First Lieutenant. When Bill and Joan left Fort Dix, New
Jersey, Bill took work as a doorman outside an office facility and earned spare change
refereeing local basketball games. In the span of two decades, Bill graduated from Harvard’s
business management course, was appointed president of JP Stevens Textiles, and welcomed
three children, Billy, Susan, and Karen. Bill and Joan were blessed with almost 63 years of
marriage. He is survived by his wife Joan, his sister Maureen, three children Billy (Christine),
Susan (Michael), Karen (Matthew), eleven grandchildren, Billy Donovan, Hasbrouck Rajaee, Bryan Donovan, Connor Donovan, Michael Daly, Katie Margarelli, Jack Daly, Kevin Daly, Madison Reilly, Emma Reilly, Tess Reilly ,two great grandchildren Brooklyn Donovan, Naomi Donovan and 3 on the way.
Bill’s devout Catholic faith guided him throughout his life. The most important thing to him was
his faith and the church. He attended mass seven days a week. Bill lived an incredibly humble
life; he was devoted to God, his family, and helping others. Bill was devoted to helping his
children, his grandchildren, and others in the community. Bill was particularly drawn to Saint
Jude, the patron Saint of Hopeless Cases. He was known to pray to the St. Jude Novena, and
pass St. Jude prayer cards to his children and grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd Street, Newberry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to https://www.catholiccharitiesgainesville.org/
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