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Donovan, Charles Lamonte November 4, 1976 - September 11, 2021

Charles Donovan

November 4, 1976-September 11, 2021

 

Charles Lamonte Donovan passed away on September 11th in Portland, Maine, at the home of beloved friends, after losing his five-year battle with cancer. A native of Bronxville, NY, he divided his time between the Baltimore area and Sebago, Maine. Since 2005, Charles taught science at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Maryland, where he led the speech and debate team to a national championship. Previously, he taught at Loyola School, Manhattan. He also spent 20 years at Camp-O-At-Ka in Maine, his favorite place, serving as Summer Director.

Charles was born at New York Hospital (now New York Presbyterian), and grew up in Bronxville. He attended The Chapel School, Immaculate Conception School, Regis High School, Loyola University, and Stanford University.

Charles leaves behind his beloved mother, Marilyn Lamonte Donovan of Bronxville, NY, his cherished goddaughter, Taryn Reaves, of Portland, Maine, and a large adopted family of dear friends. He was predeceased by his father, Robert Donovan, and his grandparents, Dr. Charles E. and Lucille Lamonte.

A wake will be held on Friday, September 24th from 5-8 PM at Fred H. McGrath and Son, 20 Cedar St., Bronxville, NY. The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 25th at 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 53 Winter Hill Road, Tuckahoe, NY. Interment will follow at a later date at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY. Loyola Blakefield held a memorial prayer service on Sept. 13. Camp O-At-Ka will host a celebration of Charles’ life on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Donations in Charles’ memory may be made to the Camp O-At-Ka scholarship fund.

Calling Hours:  5 to 8 pm, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021

Mass:  9:30 am, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe, NY

Condolences(11)

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    P. Carter says

    Mr. Donovan taught me son last year at Loyola and left a lasting positive impression on him. For that we’re eternally grateful. On behalf of my family we send our most heartfelt condolences to his mother, family, friends and students. Rest well now with our Lord and Savior free from pains of this mortal earth. From a Grateful Parent Thank you!!

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    The Harrises says

    Charles has been a beacon and a positive influence in both my sons’ lives over their last ten years at O At Ka. He always greeted us all with a smile, even on his hardest days, and he will be greatly missed. A light in the world has been extinguished, but heaven will shine brighter because of him.

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    Elnora Webb says

    “God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes
    and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.
    The former things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:3,4)

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    Bubba Brownley says

    I am so sorry for the loss of Charles. He exemplified service in his camp and education communities. He taught all of us so much about kindness and compassion.

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    Steven Sprouse says

    Charles has always been an example of compassion, gentility, and dedication. As a leader in the world of speech and debate, he worked tirelessly to develop opportunities not only for his own Loyola Blakefield team but for students all over Maryland and beyond. The light of the world is truly a little dimmer for his passing.

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    Anna Gussenhoven says

    Charles was like an uncle to me. He would always stop by during holidays and he taught me that family is what you make of it. Stick together and always help when you can. Most importantly, Love. Love even when your heart hurts. I cannot express how my heart aches but know that so do many others. For everyone who misses him, I am truly sorry.

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    Zach says

    Thank you for helping me find my voice, for that I am eternally greatful. Rest In Peace, Dons.

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    Emily Mandile says

    The Reservoir High School Speech and Debate team join me in sending our condolences to Charles’ family. He was a tireless advocate for Speech and Debate activities in our region. His presence will be greatly missed.

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    Eloisa Valencia says

    Charles passing is truly a great loss to anyone who knew him or even to a stranger like me who just needed some assistance establishing a new Speech and Debate team for my daughter’s school. Charles had been a wonderful, kind and helpful person. He was happy to share what he knew so that others can achieve greatness. Rest in peace Charles. I pray that your family will find comfort in remembering the wonderful memories that you have with them.

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    Lynette Burns says

    Charles was so supportive of everyone in the speech and debate community. He exemplified civil discourse through his actions and saw the best in everyone. The Atholton High School debate community extends their sincere condolences.

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    Sam DeRosa says

    I met Charley around 30 years ago at the Iona College Day Camp as a camper. I worked full time as an athletic trainer at Iona and in the summers with the day camp. As the years went on, Charley became a CIT and later a counselor. I knew him to always have an infectious smile and always a willingness to help anyone. He would take two buses to get to and from the campus. He would carry his little blue day camp bag with his towel and his lunch.
    I remember the summer when I found out he was heading for Stanford. I was so proud of him. I picked him up and drove him to the airport the day he was leaving for Stanford with a fellow named Steve who I believe was a college mentor to him? I remember him saying his goodbyes’ to his mom.
    Charley stopped working summers at Iona when he started his job in the Palo Alto area. He would always make it a point to visit me whenever he was in the area. He later did the same when he moved to the Baltimore area. For this I am forever grateful.
    Charley fought the good fight against this disease. It will certainly be very hard to find another human being as kind, caring, thoughtful and unpolluted as Charley. I will miss his visits with his smile and his voice. My life is better for knowing Charley and I will deeply miss him and never forget him.
    God Bless

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