James Patrick Donovan

Born and raised in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Pop Pop enjoyed a great many pursuits: fishing, painting, woodworking, cleaning the backyard (well, sometimes not so much), telling a good story about the good old days, but they did not match those he loved: his grandchildren, Evan Patrick and Arianna Ashley; his children, Kelly Anne, Matthew Blair & Jackie and, especially, his wife of just under sixty years, Katherine or Kay as she was known to many. They married in the Blizzard of February 5, 1961 at Holy Name of Jesus Church. Shortly after their marriage, President Kennedy invited Pop to serve in the Army for two years during the Cuban missile Crisis, he was stationed at Fort MacPherson, Atlanta, Ga. and he was proud to have served his country. After he was discharged, they returned to Brooklyn to raise their family. Pop worked as a payroll supervisor in the trucking industry for A.T. Trucking and for Branch Motor Express. Afterwards, he worked in security for Pinkerton and then ultimately for the law firm of Cravath, Swain & Moore which he truly enjoyed. He retired in 2002, returning to those enjoyable pursuits, helping out family and friends, sitting on the stoop, talking with neighbors and all who passed by, a constant fixture of 16th Street. He will be missed by so very many.