Cornelius J Donovan

Portland- Cornelius J. Donovan III, 86, of Bailey Ave. died on Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Mercy Hospital following a brief illness. Cornelius was born on March 30, 1932 in Winthrop, MA to the late Cornelius J. II and Helena R. (Noel) Donovan. He attended local schools there and at the age of 16 enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps where he also earned his high school diploma. After serving for 4 years he then enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served for 2 years before re-enlisting with the USMC serving as a Combat Engineer during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC as well as Cherry Point, NC. He also worked as a recruiter in Manchester, NH. In 1975 he retired in Portland from the Marine Corps as a First Sergeant after 21 years of service to his country. During his time with the United States Coast Guard, while being stationed in Portland, he met and married the love of his life Jean Marie McCullum at St. Patrick's Church on October 26, 1957. After his first enlistment with the Marines, Cornelius worked as a long shoreman on the Boston waterfront. After retiring from the military we went to work for the United States Post Office from which he retired in 1994 after 20 years of service. Cornelius was a life member of the Catholic Church, a member of the American Legion Andrews Post #17 in Portland and a member of the Portland Eagles Club. He also had the distinguished honor of being a member of the Chosen Few Marine Corps. Cornelius was a quiet and simple man who enjoyed doing his daily puzzles in the paper, studying genealogy, listening to all types of music, and watching old war movies on Turner Classics. He was a part of a documentary movie on the Chosen Few and will long be remembered for finding a cannon ball from the revolutionary war in the bushes in Boston while playing with a friend. He was a strong willed, old school, Marine for life type of guy who will be missed by many. Semper Fi He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Jean Marie Donovan in 2011; a son, Kevin L. Donovan in 1997; two sisters, Patricia St. Cyr and Mary Jane Georgenes. He is survived by a daughter, Donna Grimaldi of Portland; two sons, C. Joseph Donovan IV of Portland, and Timothy P. and his wife Robyn Donovan of Portland; six grandchildren, Ciancia Grimaldi, Luigi Grimaldi, Kyle Donovan, Andrew Donovan, Alysa Park, and Cara Donovan; one great granddaughter, Isabella Bowman; several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours celebrating Cornelius' life will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. A funeral service will be held at the chapel on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 10:00am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Cornelius' memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in his memory to: Travis Mills Foundation, 89 Water Street, Hallowell, ME 04347