Obituary of Edward M. Donovan

DONOVAN, Edward M., 92 of Medford, NJ on Thursday, October 31, 2013.  He was born in Queens, NY and lived in Wayne, NJ and Franklin Lakes, NJ before moving to Medford. The name Edward is derived from the Old English meaning “Guardian” , “Protector” and Edward Michael Donovan served as both to his family and friends over his long and full lifetime. He was a 1939 graduate of Brooklyn Tech and was salutatorian of his class. He was a 1949 graduate of NYU.  He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was the CEO of E.M.D. Systems in Woodland Park, NJ from 1973-1997.  He held many positions in his business career including: NY Sales Manager for Moore Business Forms, Vice President of Autographic Business Forms and International VP for Control Data, Inc. He was very instrumental in the development of many printing innovations; including carbonless paper, magnetic ink and multi-part business forms.  He was a member of Upper Montclair Country Club, South Hampton Country Club and Burnt Store Country Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lakes R.C. Church in Medford and Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church in Franklin Lakes.  He was very proud of his Irish and sports heritage. His grandfather, Michael Donovan, was the first Middleweight World Boxing Champion and later a Professor of Boxing at the NY Athletic Club where his most famous pupil was Teddy Roosevelt. Both his grandfather and his uncle, Arthur Donovan, Sr., are members of the Boxing Hall of Fame. His cousin, Arthur Donovan, Jr., is a member of the Football Hall of Fame. Edward himself excelled in hockey and football and played semi-pro football in Queens, NY. Beloved husband of the late Helen Lucille Donovan (nee Smith).  Devoted father of Kathleen Vonseggern and her husband Steven, Laura Jean Nabili and her husband Daryoush, Rev. Michael Donovan, Joanne Hayes, Brian P. Donovan and his wife Sandra and Matthew D. Donovan and his wife Jacqueline.  He is also survived by fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by his grandson Brian A. Nabili.  The Funeral Liturgy will be on Monday at Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, 787 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ at 10 AM.  Visiting will be at Most Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church on Sunday from 5-9 PM.  In lieu of flowers donations to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, www.WoundedWarrior.org  or DePaul Catholic High School, 1512 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 would be appreciated.