Cornelius P. Donovan

Cornelius (Neal) P. Donovan, 86, of Fairfield, beloved husband of Julia Bittner Donovan, died June 27 at Connecticut Hospice in Branford.

Neal was born and raised in White Plains, N.Y. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he moved to Fairfield where he and his wife Julia brought up their family. He was a retired assembler for Exide Battery, where he worked for more than 30 years.

In addition to his devoted wife of 59 years, his memory will be cherished by his children, Patricia Heigel and her husband John of Sandy Hook, Mary Elander and her husband Skip of Newtown; Catherine Donovan of Marionville, Va.; eight grandchildren, Eric, Joshua, and Patrick Heigel, Lisa Shelton, Jennifer, and Matthew Hogg, Michele Wood, and Justin Elander; one great-grandchild, Joshua Heigel; two sisters, Karen Bennett of Hudson Falls, N.Y., and Mabel Smith of Cold Springs, N.Y.; one brother, William Donovan of Brunswick, Maine; several nieces and nephews.

Neal was an antique car enthusiast, and was particularly knowledgeable with Packard cars. He was a published author of many articles on the topic including his book, Andrew L. Riker and the Electric Car. He served for many years as the secretary for the Eastern Packard Club.

Funeral services were held on July 1 in the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield Center, and in St Ann Church. Burial followed in St John’s Cemetery, Monroe.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St Ann Church Memorial Fund, 481 Brewster Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605.

The Newtown Bee        July 2, 2004