Plaistow - William P. Donovan, Jr., 100, of Plaistow, NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 4, 2022, with his son by his side at the Exeter Hospital.

He was born in Lynn on Jan. 28, 1922, son of the late William P. Donovan Sr., and Irene (Wheeler) Donovan.

William was educated in the Lynn School System and graduated from Lynn English High School with the Class of 1939. Upon graduation, William served our country in the United States Navy during World War II. His squadron was fundamental in the campaign to liberate the Filipino Islands. He later served as a firefighter for the Town of Marblehead until his retirement.

William had many hobbies and interests. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed doing various projects around the home. He collected and repaired antique clocks and watches. William enjoyed vegetable gardening, reading books, and he really liked to keep busy. His greatest joys were the times he would spend with his beloved wife Elinor of 65 years traveling and socializing with family and friends.

Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Elinor G. (Hartman) Donovan who passed away in 2013, his son William P. Donovan III, as well as his siblings Robert Donovan, Harry Donovan, Philip Donovan and Catherine (Donovan) Dolan.

William is survived by his children, Kathleen Cranford and her long time companion, Bruce Basso, Gail Nelson and her husband Michael, and Brian Donovan and his wife Jodi. He was the loving grandfather to seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his loving sister Anna Corbett of Peabody.

At the request of the family funeral services will be private. Arrangements are by the H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes, 106 Summer Street, Haverhill MA 01830.

While flowers are welcome, donations can be made in William's memory to St. Jude Children's Hospital, www.stjude.org.

To share a memory please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com.