Walter T. Donovan

Walter T. Donovan, 74, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024. He was the loving husband of Margaret “Margie” (Donohue) Donovan.

Walter was born in Stamford, CT on February 2, 1950; a son of the late Walter and Lucy (Mancusi) Donovan. He graduated from Stamford High School in ’68. There he lettered for the Black Knights as quarterback of the football team and shortstop of the baseball team. He attended Rutgers University and Central Connecticut State University. After college, he set out on numerous adventures, driving across the country, and experienced the iconic Woodstock festival.

In 1979 he began a 38-year career with the phone company, working for both SNET and AT&T. It was there he met his beloved wife Margie. They were married in 1985 at St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield, Connecticut and bought their first home on Cottage Street in Ridgefield that same year.  Here they began their family, welcoming their first child, Tommy, followed 16 months later by twin daughters, Jeanne and Terry.

Growing up, he had a passion for sports. He played for the Stamford Babe Ruth league, competing in the 1965 national championship. He continued his love for sports by playing in various softball leagues throughout the years, and later coaching his son’s baseball teams. He was also a renowned reporter (to those who remember) for his coverage of the Red Raiders for the Ridgefield Press.

He cherished his time at the beach with friends and family, loved working in the yard, and enjoyed happy hour on the deck with his wife. On hot summer days, he loved to take a dip in a relative’s pool with his grandchildren. His happiest moments were spent with family, creating countless memories during beach trips to Long Island or ski trips in Vermont and New Hampshire. In recent years, his two grandsons became his pride and joy. As their ‘Pops,’ he was their favorite buddy, sharing a special bond filled with love and laughter.

Walter is survived by his wife of 39 years, Margie as well as their three children: Thomas Donovan; Jeanne (Donovan) Blekis and her husband, Anthony; and Theresa (Donovan) Herbert and her husband, Gannon. Walter is also survived by two grandsons: Aiden and Chase Blekis, his brother, Michael Donovan and his wife, Sharon and their children; Michael and Kristin, as well as his sister Sharon Mackey and her children; Paulette, Joy and his God child Miranda, and numerous nieces and nephews.   

Family and friends will be received on Monday, December 9, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Saint Mary’s Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Ridgefield.

Contributions in Walter’s memory may be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513, http://www.v.org or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453, https://www.operationsmile.org/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter T. Donovan, please visit our floral store.