James G. Donovan

Jim (James) Donovan—loving husband of 50 years this January to Joan, father to Carrie and Julie and delighted grandfather to Owen—passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 at the age of 86. Before retiring, he had a long career working in information systems at institutions like the University of Chicago and Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s Hospital), from which he retired. He will be remembered for his playful sense of humor and love of pranks and his artistic talent. He would often doodle cartoons and leave them in places to make his family smile. He loved wildlife, and took pleasure in feeding the birds and squirrels in his yard. He also loved to eat and befriended the staff at his favorite restaurants (Jullianni’s and Royalberry were tied for #1). To balance out all that food, he was competitive about his workouts at the health club. He defended his status as a top lifter with great enthusiasm. A longtime parishioner at St. Alexander’s, he also found fellowship at Moraine Valley Church where he participated in the men’s bible study fellowship. He will be missed. There will be a private service and internment.