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Charles Joseph DONOVAN, OMI

Died on Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Ottawa General Hospital, Ottawa, after failing to respond to a prolonged treatment in ICU. He was 77. He is survived by members of his religious community, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and his sister, Mary Catherine (George), his brother, Donald (Carrie), nieces and nephews: Colleen (Mike), James, Lynn (Steven), Donald (Tina), Carrie Anne and Charlie (Sue), and grandnieces and grandnephews. Fr. Charles was born in Glace Bay, NS on July 9, 1940, the son of Charles and Gertrude (Gillis). He professed his first vows on August 15, 1960 and his final vows on September 8, 1963 as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Charles was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1966. Fr. Charles loved his work in the parishes and joyfully served many in over 50 years of priesthood. He began his pastoral work in Ottawa at St. Joseph’s Parish and during the first 25 years or so he was posted to St. Ann’s (Flin Flon) and St. Lawrence (Thompson) in northern Manitoba. He returned to Ontario, but stayed north as he worked at St. Agnes (Thunder Bay) and Sacred Heart (Sioux Lookout). And then it was east to Queen of Peace (Happy Valley/Goose Bay) and Our Lady of Labrador (West Ste. Modeste). Fr. Charles spent a year sharing his gifts in ministry as Provincial Director of Formation at the Galilee Novitiate from 1987-88. The second half of his career took him back to Nova Scotia and his roots as he served at St. Peter’s (Ingonish), St. Michael’s (Baddeck), St. Peter’s (Larry’s River), St. Andrew’s (Boisdale), St. Barra (Christmas Island) and St. Columba (Iona). In 2015, Fr. Charles was sent to the west coast and after a short time in Prince George, BC at St. Mary’s, he was asked to come back to Ottawa to minister to the senior Oblates as Director of Springhurst Residence, a position he held for the past two years. He also offered his gifts to several parishes in Ottawa, as needed, including Madonna Della Risurrezione and St. Patrick’s Home. Funeral Mass on Friday, April 6, with interment at a later date.