Judy (Eppich) Halvorson

October 5, 2013

My deepest sympathies go out to Joe's dear wife, children, mother and family.
Joe, your legacy lives on in the hearts of the many that have been touched by you.

John Sweeney

October 4, 2013

Mr. Donavan every year on my Birthday would wish me a Happy Birthday and recently congratulated me on getting married. I use to play whiffle ball and video games with the boys when they were younger. Mr. Donavan once said to me on Facebook that , "You're an ALL-TIME Donovan favorite, John. We all luv ya and we're proud of you. Hope that you had a nice B'Day". Mr. Donavan will be greatly missed.

John Sweeney

October 4, 2013

My Donavan each year would send me a message on Facebook to wish me a Happy Birthday and recently to congratulate me on getting married. "You're an ALL-TIME Donovan favorite, John. We all luv ya and we're proud of you. Hope that you had a nice B'Day". Just a great man and he will be missed.

Irene & Anthony Esdale&Family

October 4, 2013

It's so hard to find true, genuine wonderful people. Joe was one of those hard to finds....He will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Donovan family.

Frank Woodward

October 4, 2013

One of the good guys passes over to the other side all too soon. I knew Joe from back in the day when he worked for Congressman Moakley and again when he moved to Walpole. Joe always had a way about him that made you feel good. He cared! May he rest in the peace and love of God.

Nancy Carty Lepri

October 4, 2013

What more can I say about Joe that hasn't already been said? Joe first "friended" me on Facebook shortly after my mother died. I was filled with terrible grief and Joe offered such kind and wonderful words of comfort...comfort that helped me in many ways. I loved reading his postings with comments about his beloved family and how blessed he felt for his wife, sons, and the ability to care for his mother. I was so touched by Joe and his ways that I still am disbelieving he is no longer with us, but I sure he was one angel that God needed with Him. Please know the Donovan family is in my prayers, and I'm wishing you the peace and comfort that he awarded me. God bless you, Joe.

Jill Foley

October 3, 2013

I've sat down to write in this guestbook so many times and I'm still at a loss for words. I'm still hoping that we'll wake up to find it was just a bad dream. Joe sent me a friend request on Facebook - I'm sure because I was from Norwood and he recognized my maiden name. I will be forever grateful that he did. I feel like he's been a lifelong friend - without ever having met him in person. My one regret is not popping into his office to introduce myself in person when I was with my kid's at their eye doctor's next door to his office. I will truly miss his stories about his wife/boys, his mom and just how important it is to have family/friends in your life. I enjoyed seeing a message from Joe on holidays wishing me and my family the best. He was just an amazing soul. When they say that God must've really needed a special angel when he brought Joe home - truer words were never spoken. I pray that all the wonderful memories of Joe will help to bring his family the peace and comfort they'll need in the upcoming days. You've left amazing journal entries on your FB page for them. You touched many lives Joe - more than you'll ever know. Until we meet again Joe - may you rest in eternal peace.

Karyn Arnold

October 3, 2013

I too, am a "Norwood Girl". Joe reached out to me on face book just like so many others.

I don't think Joe realized how many people he truly touched. His words had an impact on so many lives. They made you take time to ponder. I will miss all the wonderful kind hearted and deeply felt posts. I am better off for knowing him.

My deepest and heart felt sympathy to your Family. God Bless you all.

Susan Knight

October 3, 2013

Joe was a true gentleman, who was always genuinely concerned about everyone he met! Joe always beamed when he talked about Marybeth and the boys! Always the proud father who loved to watch Joe, Brendan & Patrick play in all their sports! We were blessed to meet the Donovan family through baseball! We are all heartbroken by his loss and will deeply miss Joe! All our love & prayers to Marybeth & the boys!
xoxo,
The Knight Family

Mike Peters

October 3, 2013

Thank you for your friendship & support my heart is saddened for you & your family.God's comfort to all. Your friend Mike

Jeff Porterfield

October 2, 2013

Joe was my big brother in the Sigma Nu fraternity at the University of Kentucky. I was seventeen years old and he took me under his wing. He provided guidance and love throughout my stay in Lexington. I'll never forget his support and committment to me as a brother. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory..

October 2, 2013

I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe....I worked in the office beside him for 6 years, before the company I worked for closed. We stayed in touch thru facebook. I will miss the great stories he used to tell on facebook. He was a really great guy....he will be sorely missed, may he rest in peace.

Dottie VanDenBerghe

Andrea Milewski

October 1, 2013

Thinking of Joe and his wonderful family. I had the good fortune to work with Joe for 7 years and I can honestly say that I know of no one more proud of their family. His stories about them, whether deep and serious, or simple and funny, enriched my life more than I could ever explain, and he also always asked about mine and listened with such genuine interest. Joe was an extremely intelligent man and one of the funniest personalities I've ever known. His ability to bring powerful insight to almost any subject was amazing. I just can't say enough about this wonderful man. I am heartbroken for his family and friends. I will never forget him and I will be forever grateful that he was in my life.

Ann Maresh Troy

October 1, 2013

My prayers and thoughts are with MaryBeth and the family of my wonderful cousin,Joe. May God's healing graces be with you all as you go forward. The memories become treasures.

October 1, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Blessings~ Katherine Addie (friend of Nancy Holland)

October 1, 2013

My husband and I met Joe several years ago through my son and his family. He always had a ready smile and always made you feel so special. He would walk from one end of the gym to the other just to give you a hug and a special hello....a wonderful man loved by many...Our condolences to his Mother, wife, and children.
Dave and Joan Adams-Kingston, Ma.

Sarah Blanchard

October 1, 2013

I never had the pleasure of meeting Joe, but knowing Mary Beth and reading the sentiments posted I can tell that he was an amazing husband, father and friend. May your memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
~Sarah

Gary Ludwick

September 30, 2013

Joe was a fraternity brother at the University of Kentucky and a fine example of a Southern gentlemen even if he was a Yankee ! He was a member of my brother's pledge class and a well-respected member of the Sigma Nu Chapter at the University of Kentucky. He will be missed by many across the South.

Mary Maresh

September 30, 2013

I am so sad to hear of Joe's passing. Even though we are cousins, we just got to know each other. RIP Joe. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

September 30, 2013

Joe was a dear college friend and a Sigma Nu brother to my husband. He was a true friend and inspiration long ago so it was a delight to once again reconnect on FaceBook. I'm so sorry for your sudden and tragic loss. He was definitley one of the good guys! Many thoughts and prayers for your family during this terribly difficult time. Becky Evans (Louisville, KY)

Hope Stamps

September 30, 2013

So sorry to hear this news, Nancy we are sending you all our love and support. Please let us know if you need anything.
Hope and Eurie Stamps

Gail and Dan Kelly

September 30, 2013

Though we met you through a legal issue you became a friend your guided us Thank you. My deepest and heart felt sympathy to your Family. God Bless you and your family
Gail and Dan Kelly

September 30, 2013

I just heard the tragic news. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Love, Judy Beck

Sam Phillips

September 30, 2013

Joe was one of my first friends at UK in 1971,later a Sigma NU brother and a "brother "always in life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Steven King

September 30, 2013

Donovan Family,
Please know that you are constantly in our prayers. You have a good strong family and you will persevere together. Steven, Mary, Steven, Dan, and Kat King.

Kathleen Shannon

September 30, 2013

My thoughts and prayers go out to Marybeth, the boys, and the rest of the family. RIP Joe.

Bob & Donna Donnellan

September 30, 2013

Our deepest sympathy to MaryBeth and the boys. When we moved to Walpole in 1998, our son (Gregory) became friends with their son, Joe, (starting in middle school) and there was a pack of wolves that formed (Nick Villante, James Balfour, Ian McLean). The boys would hop from house to house. I remember the many times that my son would talk about "Mr. Donovan" and what fun he would have at their house.

It was always a comforting feeling knowing that we could trust our son at the Donovans house, just as they could trust their son at our house.

But more importantly, our son has felt the impact of this loss because you don't forget your mentoring years, and "Mr. Donovan" definitely had an impact on all of those boys as they entered adulthood.

Our deepest sympathy to MaryBeth, Joe, Brendan and Patrick as they go through these difficult days/weeks/years. Please know that we will never know the reason God has taken him from you, but that we know this for sure....if there is any way for him to be watching over all of you, Joe is doing that right now! His love for his family is everlasting and will shine through these difficult times.

Joanne Muti

September 30, 2013

Good. Kind. Funny. Humble. Loving. Those are the words that come to my mind when I think of Joe. I will miss your stories on Facebook. Always positive. Always conveyed a life lesson. And always uplifting. Bless you, Joe. You're an angel.

Burke Family

September 30, 2013

My parents were friends of Joe throughout most of their lives & we had the pleasure of being neighbors of the Donovan family for the past 27 years. As a friend, Joe always had a smile to welcome, words of wisdom & inspiration to share, and ears to listen. As a lawyer, Joe helped my family dearly in a time of need. It is so difficult pulling on to our families street and not seeing Joe out in the yard to wave hello. My heart aches for Marybeth & the boys. The world has suffered the loss of a truly wonderful man...but we have gained yet another angel.

Stephen Embry

September 29, 2013

Words can't begin to express my sorrow and loss. 40 years ago Joe stood next to me when I first met my wife, Mary Chris. 4 years later he stood next to me again when I married her. I feel like Joe never left my side.
Joe loved his family, being a lawyer, being from Boston, his friends and his old fraternity brothers. Joe loved....me. Joe always lifted me and everyone else up, he always saw the best in us all. He inspired us all to do better. To be better. In remembering him, I keep thinking of what Shakespeare said in Romeo and Juliet:

"When he shall die take him and cut him out into the stars and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun."

We all loved you Joe and thank God for placing you in our lives. We will always remember you and your family in our prayers.

Steve Embry

Maureen Larkn

September 29, 2013

Sending many prayers to the Donovan family.

Lori Hamlin

September 29, 2013

Bless you, Joe, you are missed already, my prayers are with your family and close friends, now I know who will be waiting for me to keep me calm when the time comes to go, keep an eye on us here, till then.....

Sandy Pellegrine

September 29, 2013

Joe - may you rest in peace and may your family find comfort in knowing how many lives you have touched. You will be missed ~smiles~

Cindy Stone

September 28, 2013

Always a friend. Never to be forgotten.

George Maresh

September 27, 2013

I feel so fortunate to have found my cousin Joe via Facebook earlier this year. And now feel kinda cheated that I didn't find him sooner. His spirit traveled through the web and I see touched ALOT of people, many of whom never met him. My mother spoke often of his mother, her cousin, and, like others here, I so enjoyed his stories of his mom. My heart goes out to his wife and sons.

Mary Fandel

September 27, 2013

My heart goes out to Joe's mom, MaryBeth, three sons and extended family as I cannot imagine the pain you are experiencing at the loss of such a great man. I knew Joe just a year now and found him to be a genuinely good soul. He passed on his positive thoughts to me thru fb, messages etc. He helped me with a difficult time and tho he will not be here to see it all through I know his spirit will be with me. I have reread alot of his posts and found him to be so philosophical, funny, whimsical but more importantly devoted son, husband, father and friend. God Speed Joe,,they are so lucky to have u in heaven. You will be sorely missed...

Linda/Bob Molloy

September 27, 2013

Joe, you were first a family man and then a friend to so many people. You touched everyone's life who knew you with your words of inspiration and your devotion to your wife, boys and your mother. You knew how to enjoy life and it's sad that you were taken so soon. You will be missed.

Steve Rossi

September 27, 2013

In life you rarely run across a friend who touches you in so many ways as Joe did. A gentleman, always positive. Always a kind word to say. Gonna miss you buddy. Rest in peace old friend.

carole costello

September 27, 2013

I am blessed and proud to be able to call Joe a good friend. His love of his family was evident in every conversation we had.
I will miss our "conversations" on FB...they were filled with good advice, humor, compassion and a love of life. I am embracing you all with my thoughts and prayers,
Carole Grenon Costello

Lesley MacQuarrie

September 27, 2013

Joe touched so many lives and will be truly missed. He is one of the good guys, a good soul and a friend to so many.

Paula Taylor

September 27, 2013

Joe was one of a kind He was so genuine May his family find comfort knowing how much he touched so many people outside of his family RIP Joe God Bless

Evie Pizzi

September 27, 2013

I will always remember you as the Mark Twain of the 21st century. You filled our lives with warm and wonderful stories about life, love of family and friends, and how to reach out to those around us. I will especially miss your very personal comments about your mother, the love and appreciation you had for Marybeth and the pride you had for your 3 sons (or lugs as you affectionately liked to call them). You were a coach and a leader and your positive outlook on life will be remembered by all you embraced on this earth. You will be missed by all. From this time forward, your family will be remain in my prayers forever, Joe. Eternal peace to you and blessings.

Maura Cramer

September 27, 2013

Joe was the mayor of our facebook family.He was thoughtful, uplifting and friendly. What an inspiration and pleasure it was to have known Joe, if only through social media. I feel as though he was a trusted friend. My sincere condolences to his family, may he rest in peace. Maura Cramer (Norwood, MA)

Patti Scollins

September 27, 2013

Joe and I shared alot of the same friends in High School. He was a wonderful guy and I feel blessed to have known him and to have called him my friend......He was always positive; never a bad thing to say about anyone...Years later, he got to meet my children who instantly were impressed by his warmness and his love for his family....Im a better person for knowing Joe......He was a true gentleman and will be missed by many who personally knew him, as well as those who knew of him through facebook...

Stan Carita

September 27, 2013

Being from Norwood like alot of his friends, Joe friended me on Facebook. Thru the time I had know him he was always caring about others. I did have the pleasure to meet him and as Iam guessing in his usual fashion, he came over and gave me a big hug like I was a part of his family. In a way I was thru facebook. Joe it was a pleasure knowing you and will truly miss you as my friend.

nancy roberts

September 26, 2013

Our Lord must have needed a new right-hand-man up in Heaven and Hoe was the best choice. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

John Arruda

September 26, 2013

I met Joe for the first time at his neighbors' home, during a celebration honoring the marriage of my granddaughter to the neighbor's son. Joe invited me to be his friend, I thought on Facebook but it turned out that the invitation was for much more than that. He always looked for me during my visits to Walpole and I always sought him out or inquired about him when I visited. Although I have known him for a relatively short time I will miss him. I will miss his posts, I will miss our late night chats on Facebook but most of all I will miss him and his enthusiastic greetings and his capacity to make others feel special. A good man, like Joe is something to be treasured for his concern for his fellow man, his genuine interest in those he cared about and his love and devotion to his family. I am honored to have been called friend by him. To Marybeth, Joe's children and the extended Donovan family I offer my deepest heartfelt condolences and wishes for both a physical and emotional recovery. And to Joe, R.I.P. my friend I think that most who knew you feel that you left a mark on them and all you let into your life.

September 26, 2013

Joe, You kind beautiful man, How much I,my brothers, children and sister inlaws, enjoyed your thoughts and stories everyday. We loved knowing you in Norwood growing up.Thank you for all our conversation private and on FB. Your words of wisdom and nice thoughts on so many different subjects will never be forgotten. We will miss you greatly. How blessed is Heaven to have you with them. Michael, Bernedette, Joyce, Gerald and Donna Bagni and family. (Norwood, Ma)

carolyn luzaitis

September 26, 2013

what a great person he was I was blessed to have him as a friend...He always had a great story ....he loved his family so much...The world is a better place with people like Joe in it. RIP...xo

Deb Reddick

September 26, 2013

I'm hoping the Donovan family knows how much Joe influenced those of us who were his Facebook friends, perhaps not knowingly, but certainly. Although I never met him, I enjoyed the conversations and stories he'd tell and felt that in each post he was speaking to each of us individually.

21 hours ago · Like · 5

Diana Drugas

September 26, 2013

I am so going to miss your stroies about your life, your work and your Mom-you were one of the nicest guys to walk on God's earth-you are going to be missed-may your memory be eternal.

beverly

September 26, 2013

Joe, you will be so missed by many people who were truly blessed to call you friend. R.I.P.
Mitch and Beverly Sierodzinski

Jim Delbou

September 26, 2013

What a tremendous Gentleman, one of a kind. I too always looked forward to all his posts, and may I say that this social media icon is truly going to be missed, in fact "Facebook" will never be the same without him, that's how poignant he was and always will be. Please pray that this family through this tragedy can some how find the strength to recover. Joseph P Donovan Jr may you rest in Pease... God Bless The Delbou Family

Stacey Freedman~Quinones

September 26, 2013

Joe was from Norwood and friended me on Facebook, it wasn't long before I seen what a special person he was and how much his family meant to him. I believe in my heart he touched us all for a reason... maybe to show us to always look on the brighter side, and be there for eachother. and how fragile life was.... he must have done his work here... after reading all the posts from others he touched I believe he did do a great job !! He is still around us all...just in another way... Prayers & Thoughts to his family & friends....

Donna Pease

September 26, 2013

Joe and I were great face book buddies. I always looked forward to his posts about his family. He made me laugh with his stories about his mother. He always had kinds words to say about everyone and everything he talked about. My heart hurts for his family that he leaves behind and I will keep them in my thoughts. Please remember "Smiles", Joe would want it that way.

Jim Madden

September 26, 2013

Joe friended me on FB since I was from Norwood and an XBHS Graduate. Never met him, but I will miss the Posts from FB. A very nice man. I feel very bad that I never got to meet him.

MaryPat Curran

September 25, 2013

I went to school with Joseph (as we were required to call him at St. Catherine's!) from first grade through graduation from Norwood High. He was a wonderful classmate, and I crossed paths with Joe again several years ago through Face Book. I enjoyed his warm and funny posts tremendously and we traded our mutual experiences of being in the legal field. My deepest sympathy to Mary Beth, their sons and Joe's mother, and all of the Donovan extended family in Norwood. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

September 25, 2013

Joe was such a kind and caring man. He was so full of life and good thoughts. He was so proud of his sons. He praised his wife Mary Beth with such love and devotion and honored and loved his Mom. He will be missed by so many. Anyone who was friends with him on Facebook will miss his witty and inspirational posts. So sorry to the Donovan family for the loss of this wonderful man. RIP Joe! Nancy Gillis-Cawley

September 25, 2013

I only knew Joe through Facebook, but through his posts, I knew he was a kind, good hearted man who will be missed not only by those who loved him, but also by those who knew of him.

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY

FROM THE FAMILY