The Bridgemen family mourn the loss of Msgr. Joseph J. Donovan
January 27, 2006

Dear Bridgemen brothers and sisters,

It is with a most heavy heart that I pass along this news. St. Andrew's, the Bridgemen, Bayonne, and so many others have lost a most special person.

Monsignor Joseph J. Donovan (82 years of age of Jackson, NJ) passed away Friday, Jan. 27th, 2006.

Joseph J. Donovan was born in 1924. He was associate pastor for the St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in Bayonne, NJ from 1964-1977 and was a co-founder of the St. Andrew's Bridgemen Drum & Bugle Corps back in 1964.

We knew him as Father Donovan back then. He worked tirelessly behind the scenes in 1964 to bring about a Catholic Youth Organization in his parish. 1965 was a memorable year for Bayonne as a new musical entity was born and flourished for years to come. His vision brought about the St. Andrew's Bridgemen, who transformed into the Bayonne Bridgemen, and have returned as the Bridgemen Alumni.

He was a valued asset to the community and a spiritual influence on thousands of people in his lifetime. He will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he impacted.

Visitation will be 2-8pm Wednesday at St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Lakehurst, NJ and Thursday afternoon at the St. John's Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Bergenfield, NJ.

Funeral liturgy will be offered Friday morning at St. John's with entombment to follow at the Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ.

Your condolences may be sent online by visiting www.oliverfuneralhome.com

- John Riccardi


Remembering Monsignor Joseph J. Donovan

“And I promise you, if we win tonight, when we get back to the Pine Room, it'll be hot dogs and root beer for everyone!”

This was one of his more famous phrases, which he often uttered to urge his corps on to victory, the other being his ever present “Uh, huh” when he questioned the wisdom of the antics of its same members years ago.

If not for the arrival of a young curate to St. Andrew's Parish in 1964, who brought with him a lifelong interest and genuine concern for the youth that he served as a priest, none of us in the Bridgemen community today would have the opportunity to share that special common bond that ties us all together.

Most of us knew him simply as Father Donovan, a native of Jersey City, who had an inkling that a drum & bugle corps was the right thing for downtown Bayonne. The city had a rich tradition in the activity, both St. Vincent's Cadets and the Bayonne PAL corps having preceded our formation. He had the good sense to ask Ed Holmes to be the first Director. Many families got intimately involved and the surge in interest necessitated the founding of the St. Andrew's Kidets as a feeder corps. The gym and Pine Room on the weekends was a beehive of activity for over decade. (I guess history does repeat itself). When the corps experienced a trough in the competitive field during the 1974-1975 seasons, he was fully supportive of the changes to the Bridgemen image that would lead to the rebirth of not only his corps but the activity itself.

Soon thereafter, his elevation to pastor at St. John the Evangelist in Bergenfield not only set in motion his separation from St. Andrew's parish and his corps, but eventually that of the corps from the parish.

Life goes on. We did get to see him afterwards on occasions such as reunions and anniversaries, weddings, and wakes. He was in Vatican City in 1981 and a short distance away from Pope John Paul II the day he was shot in 1981. His retirement was spent at the Jersey Shore, close to his sister's home, where he kept busy administering to the local parishes.

I am sure we all have our favorite recollections of our time with Monsignor Donovan. Whether they were spent in Wildwood or Dover, Whitewater, or Manning Bowl, we are all better people having known him and what he brought to our lives.

This Friday I will have a hot dog and root beer for lunch and say a prayer for Monsignor Donovan and ask him to look out for Eddie, Jack, Gussie, Bobby and all those departed members and Boosters who were part of the gang.

May he rest in peace.

- Pat Forker


Very Sad News

He was a great man, and will be missed. I was fortunate to have known him, and to have enjoyed his warm, loving nature, his charm, and his infinite wisdom.

I've always found it such a coincidence that he was transfered from St. Andrew's Parish to my parish, St. John's, in Bergenfield, back in 1978.

One of my very first performances with the Bridgemen, as Drum Major was at St. John's Conlon Hall, in March or April of 1978. We had a terrific indoor standstill show, and I remember just how thrilled I was to be performing with the Bridgemen, in my own parish, and in my hometown!!!

Monsignor Donovan was also very thrilled to be showing off “his Bridgemen” to the members of the parish at St. John's! He was obviously very proud of the seeds he had sown.

It is a sad day for all members of our Bridgemen family.

Rest in peace Monsignor Donovan.

- Jim Jordan


I find it hard to imagine the course my life would have taken...

Anyone who has worked for, marched for, heard, or saw the Bridgemen should thank Msgr. Donovan. He was the one who started the Bridgemen on its journey to Drum Corps fame. Msgr. Donovan was the first and everyone, including Ed Holmes, came after him. We have now come full circle with the Alumni Corps. Claire, you are absolutely right, ANYONE, and everyone, who was ever associated with the Bridgemen should go and pay their respects to this great man. Whether you knew him or not!!

I can still remember the times when we would be standing outside the Chapel and Fr. Donovan would come and announce that he was holding a Retreat. He would split up the guys and the girls and talk to us about life. It would end with everyone going to Confession. We hated it and he knew it, but I still remember the talks. So, he must have been doing something right.

Sometimes there would only be about 2 or 3 of us hanging out and he would ask us up to his office to talk. He never stopped trying to communicate and help us.

I will say a prayer for him and I'll thank God for allowing him to be a big part of my life. I find it hard to imagine the course my life would have taken, if not for the Bridgemen.

Thank you and God bless you Msgr. Donovan.

- Ken “Dondi” Donovan


What a foundation he laid for all of us whose lives he touched

AMEN Kenny. From the time he first came to St. Andrew's, he made the CYO dances the biggest and best of all the parishes in Bayonne. He was a tireless supporter of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, CYO basketball, baseball, & football.

And finally, the pinnacle of his accomplishments, The Bridgemen.

We were labeled “Fr. Donovan's Pets” by the rest of the parish, and “Fr. Dinivan's Pits” by Martin, the 90 year-old Irish immigrant parish gardner, but “Faddah“ truly cared about and was devoted to all the kids in Bayonne.

What a foundation he laid for all of us whose lives he touched. He's at peace with Eddie, Gus, Mr. T., Dan Raymond, and countless others who impacted us so positively. I miss them all.

Deb & I went to Father D.'s wake yesterday at St. John's Church in Bergenfield. Unfortunately, we couldn't make the Funeral mass this morning.

One thing I have to acknowledge. Nearby to “Faddah's” coffin was a nice floral arrangement from George Hopkins & The Cadets.

That was a class act from a first class organization. Our Founder touched the lives of many in Drum Corps, well beyond Bayonne.

- Tom Kowalak


Thanks for everything Father

When I was involved with the CYO, Fr. Donovan drove his Ford LTD along with me and Eddie Sullivan out to Rickel's on Route 22 to get supplies. Across the street in the divided roadway island was a Howard Johnson's. He offered to buy lunch. Eddie and I figured we would run up his tab, so we ate like slobs including ice cream. When Father D went to pay the bill he was called into the kitchen.

He came out with a big grin on his face and said “Boys, this one's on the house!“ It turns out the HoJo manager was a former altar boy for him at Madonna at Fort Lee.

Thanks for everything Father. Rest In Peace.

- Pat Forker


Reverend Monsignor Joseph J. Donovan, 82, of Jackson
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 01/29/06

REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOSEPH J. DONOVAN, 82, of JACKSON, died Friday, Jan. 27, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Jersey City, he was ordained May 19, 1951. In 1951, he was named associate pastor for Madonna Roman Catholic Church in Fort Lee and was there until 1964. In 1960, he was the assistant director of the Legion of Decency. From 1964 through 1977, he was associate pastor for St Andrew's Roman Catholic Church in Bayonne. In 1977 until Feb. 1, 1994, he was pastor of St John's the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Bergenfield. In May of 1986, papal honors were bestowed upon him at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark. After retirement, he helped out St John's RC Church in Lakehurst from 1994-2001. He also helped other local Catholic churches in the area such as St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, St. Justin's Roman Catholic Church, and St. Luke's Roman Catholic Church, all of Toms River. He was very active with the CYO in Madonna and St. Andrew's Church. He was the co-founder of the Bayonne Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corp. He was a fourth degree knight with the Knight's of Columbus Council No. 12940, Lakehurst.

He was predeceased by his brother, Raymond. Surviving are his brother, Daniel Jr. of Wood Ridge; a sister, Florence DeNoville of Jackson; and 40 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St John's Roman Catholic Church, Lakehurst, and Thursday afternoon at St John's the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Bergenfield. Funeral Liturgy will be offered Friday morning at St John's the Evangelist Church, Bergenfield, with entombment to follow at Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee. In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to your local parishes to help aid the poor. Funeral arrangements are by Oliverie Funeral Home, 2925 Ridgeway Road, Manchester. Directions may be obtained and your condolences may also be sent online by visiting www.oliveriefuneralhome.com.


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