FALMOUTH — Robert W. Donovan, 84, formerly of Portland, died April 2 at the Osher Inn at the Cedars in Portland.
He was born in Portland on Dec. 4, 1924, the son of John E. and Bernice Moreland Donovan.
In 1942, he graduated from Portland High School.
During World War II, he served as an Air Force weather observer.
He graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College. In 1949, he graduated from Harvard Law School and returned to Portland to practice law.
For many years, he served the city of Portland as assistant corporation counsel and corporation counsel.
In 1978, he was a partner in the firm of Jensen, Baird, Gardner, Donovan and Henry when he was appointed to the Maine District Court. He served as resident judge in Portland until he retired in 1988. Until 1996, he remained an active retired judge, presiding primarily in Bridgton District Court.
His first wife, Gene Schoen Donovan, died in 1976. In 1988, he married Janice M. Hawkins.
He was a lifetime fisherman, avid reader, and called himself a desperate golfer and bridge player.
He is survived by his wife, Janice “Sadie” Hawkins Donovan of Falmouth; children, Susan Donovan Silver and her husband Kenny of Portland and Rob Donovan and his wife Belinda of Falmouth; stepchildren, Gerry Hawkins of Arlington, Va., Janice A. Hawkins and her partner Jerrold Bradley of Gorham, Chris Hawkins and his wife Suzanne of Portland and Ed Hawkins of Belmont, N.H.; grandchildren, Rebecca Silver, Callan Donovan, Hannah Donovan and Maren Donovan; step-grandchildren, Kristie Hawkins, Nick Hawkins and Kayla Hawkins.
Visiting hours will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, April 17 at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. An 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 18 at Holy Martyrs Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth. Immediately following mass, a luncheon will be held at the church.
Memorial donations may be made to The Osher Inn Assisted Living Facility at The Cedars, 620 Ocean Ave., Portland, ME 04103 or VNA Hospice, 50 Foden Road, South Portland, ME 04106.
Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.
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