Russell S. Donovan

Russell Sorin Donovan entered into eternal rest on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at home surrounded by family. Born on April 6th, 1935, in the Bronx, NY, Russell was a man of deep humanity and generosity, making a positive impact on all who encountered him. Russell is survived by his beloved wife, Ellen; his children, Kevin (Kathy), Ellen O’Brien (Michael), and Doreen Ortiz; grandchildren, Kelly, Dennis, Fiona, Sean, and Seamus; great grandchildren Lily, Henry, and Theo as well as cousins Russell Bourienne and Peggy Donovan and many nieces and nephews near and far. In addition to his parents, Russell is pre-deceased by his sister Margaret White (Robert) of Port Washington, NY, brother Bobby of Huntington Beach, California, and sister Dorothy White (Joseph) of Port Washington, NY.

Russell, commonly referred to as Russ, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, son, cousin, and friend. He was renowned for his qualities as the ultimate family man. He was extremely loyal and generous, the kind of man that you could always call when you needed help.

Russ attended Evander Childs High School and upon graduation, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953. He spent many years with The New York Telephone Company before transferring to Southern Bell in Margate, Florida in 1970. Russ joined the Coral Springs Fire Department as one of the original 13 members, serving the Coral Springs community as a volunteer from 1971-1997. He was 36 when he joined the department, chasing blazes in an old Ford pickup with side rails and a ladder they would stand in the bed. He became the fifth Fire Chief, a position he held from 1977-1981.

Russ volunteered between 30-40 hours weekly and wrote a column on Fire Safety for the local newspaper, The Forum. He retired from the Department in 1997 at the age of 62.

During his career, Russ saved several lives:

Once, without an air mask or fire protection, he hauled a sleeping man out of a smoke-filled house, after crawling on his belly to find him.

He also successfully administered the Heimlich maneuver to three people on separate occasions and once rescued a man who had been badly mauled by a dog. Russ worked for the telephone company at the time, and saw the man being attacked. Russ sprayed the dog to scare him away, used a makeshift tourniquet, and saved the man from his traumatic injuries.

Russ has been credited with bringing the department into the modern era. The number of volunteers more than doubled before his retirement at age 62, and trucks and equipment became much more advanced. While Fire Chief, he had the department's first pumper trucks designed to his specifications and brought the state in to certify the volunteers.

Throughout the years he remained close with his fire department family, attending the annual Pasta Dinner, and several of the Retiree Luncheons.

Russ and his wife have lived in Coral Springs for over 54 years, raising their son and two daughters here. He enjoyed the Fire Department dinner dances, deep sea fishing, playing tennis, the occasional golf, and traveling with his cherished wife, Ellen.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. and 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. in Kraeer Funeral Home, 1655 North University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. in St. Andrews Church, 9950 NW 29th St., Coral Springs, FL 33065. To watch the funeral mass visit - https://youtu.be/yTsG4JscH8g

Interment will follow at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S State Road 7, North Lauderdale, FL, 33068.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coral Springs Firefighter Benevolent Association, in memory of Russell Donovan. Please see link below.