James F. Donovan, Jr. a lifelong resident of Woburn passed away peacefully, September 12, 2015, at the Winchester Hospital following a lengthy period of declining health. He was 71. Born in Woburn he was one of eight children of the late James F. and Helen (Russo) Donovan.
Jim was 1962 graduate of Woburn High School were he was an outstanding athlete and was the Co-captain of the basketball team and also played on the baseball team. Shortly after graduation Jim entered the United States Air Force and honorably served during the Vietnam War. He highly decorated and retired from the Air Force in 1985 with the rank of Master Sergeant following a dedicated and faithful career of almost 24 years. While in the service Jim was a member of different Air Force softball teams and was able to travel all over participating many tournaments and exhibitions. In more recent years Jim owned and operated J.B. Enterprise a payroll lending co. based in Framingham. Jim was also passionate about the game of golf and enjoyed traveling with friends to different courses throughout New England. He was a member of the Woburn VFW Post 543 and the Woburn American Legion Post 101.
In addition to his late parents, Jim is predeceased by his beloved daughter, Cassandra "Cassie" Donovan, brother, Michael Donovan, and sister, Christine Donovan.
He is lovingly survived by his sons, James Donovan III and his wife Lynn of Billerica, Kirk Donovan and his wife Charlene, of Wilmington, Clint Donovan and his wife Kristen of Chelmsford. He is also survived by eight loving grandchildren. Cherished brother of Ruth Ann Meuse and her husband Bill of Billerica, Robert Donovan of Puyallup, WA, Leo Donovan and his wife Barbara, Patty Frustaglia, Cheryl Gonsalves and her late husband Paul, all of Woburn. Brother-in-law of Mary Donovan of Billerica. Jim is further survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted in the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Thursday, September 17th, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held on Wednesday from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with military honors and burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the Woburn Public Schools - LEARN Club, WMHS 88 Montvale Ave, Attn: Loren Baccari, Woburn, MA 01801 or to the Woburn High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 22, Woburn, MA 01801.