VICE-RECTOR OF THE IRISH COLLEGE, PARIS
The Vincentian Fathers and the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have suffered a great loss through the death of the Rev. James Donovan, who died from heart failure after a short illness at St. Vincent's Presbytery, Mill Hill, London, on October 19. Born in Sheffield in 1905, he began his education there and later went to St. Vincent's College, Castleknock, Dublin, and Mount Melleray. In 1924 he entered the Novitiate, St. Joseph's, Blackrock and was ordained in Sheffield by Bishop Cowgill in 1929. Ile was professor in St. Vincent's Academy, Gatescre, Liverpool, and at the Irish College, Paris, where he became Vice-Rector in 1938. On the closing of the college at the outbreak of war he was appointed to St. Vincent's, Mill Hill. •
The funeral took place in Sheffield on Thursday, October 21. Solemn Requiem Mass was sung by the Very Rev. Joseph Sheedy, C.M., Mill Hill, Director of the Sisters of Charity, assisted by Father McNamara. C.M., and Father O'Hanlon, C.M., of Sheffield. The children and teachers of Hillsborough School, where Fr. Donovan's uncle is headmaster, lined the pavement saying the Rosary as the cortege paused near his home, school and church, whilst the " passing bell " was tolled. Father O'Leary conducted the funeral service in St. Michael's Cemetery, Rivelin, and the body was laid to rest next to Father Nicholas Comerford, who was the instrument of his vocation, and among many departed Vincentian priests whose memory still lives on in Sheffield.