Senator James Donovan, remembered as a “man of the people,” made many lasting contributions to the state of New York.
He grew up on a farm in Marcy, NY, and grew up to serve two tours of duty in World War II, as a marine. In 1959, Jim Donovan was first elected to serve in public office. On the Chadwicks Board of Education. In 1961 he became the New Hartford Town Councilman, and the Town Supervisor two years later. In 1965 Donovan was elected to the senate.
James H. Donovan passed away in 1990, after battling cancer. He was survived by his wife Esther and his seven children. He also had 14 grandchildren at the time. His death was described as a “tremendous loss” by NY Governor Mario M. Cuomo, who also stated that Donovan’s “courageous struggle to overcome his illness served as an inspiration to us all.”