The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-11-16
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER ls, 1882
Dr. Michael c. Donovan

Donovan, superintendent of the schools of Waterbury since 1925 and principal of Crosby High school from 1917 to 1925. came as distinct shock to the public of the city this morning. While it was known that Dr Donovan had not the best of health year or more ago. up to the time of his death during the night and previous to bis untimely passing. he had been enjoy ing the best of health. His duties were taken over this fall by him in the best of spirits and there had been no indication of his sudden passing. For years Dr. Donovan has been one of the leading figures in this city and elsewhere in the educational field: also iss n4s been outstanding as a splendid He was interested in advancement and pro- gress, not only in the educational field, but also in social and economic advancement.
 Dr. Donovan came to Waterbury to teach English in the high school about thirty four years ago. teaching that subject for eigh- teen years. The older generations those high school pupils of thirty, twent-five, twenty and up to fifteen years ago-knew him as Mir. Donovan. He was that keen and genial teacher who presided in the class room for fourth year English. There are persons without number who will recall that conductor of English classes, who for a few minutes might sit at his desk, but for the most of the period strode back and forth drew diagrams and wrote his thoughts of the moment on the blackboard; and who. in general, gave fresh insight into subjects and presented his ideas with originality to his classes. Teaching this subject for eigh- teen years, great number of the city's prominent citizens came under the tutelage of Mir. Donovan, memorizing Burke's conciliation" speech, becoming acquainted with King Arthur and his round table court. and other famous literary figures of fourth ysar English.
 Dr. Donovan was great student of the classics. The number of such students be- comes less and less as the years go by. It was nothing for him to reeite stanza from such early poetic and prose writers in the original Latin. accurate rythm and nice intonation characterizing his recital. He was equally familiar with other types of literature. English and American, as we'll as quite up on the modern literature of the day. He was considerable of poet; and could turn his hand to dignified poem of unusual merit, demonstrated in his theme and in his accuracy of meter. His knowledge of the classics and inherent sense of rhythm were evidenced in his poetic contributions. If he could write poem of lofty ideal, he, too. could be jokester and punster and could vie with the columnists of the day in turning out light verse, witty and terse. It might be mentioned here that Dr Donovan was also student of Irish literature and was as we'll read in this type of writing as in many others.
 Dr. Donovans duties as principal of the ioeA schools began in the spring of 1917. when at the death of Professor Stephen Wilby he was appointed to principalship. In the early summer of that same year he was given the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by Niagara University at which college he pursued his academic studies, re- ceiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. He also took up studies after this at the University of Buffalo An alert teacher D. Donovan also proved himself the same as a principal Upon leaving the classroom he carried on his high standards of educational methods
 
 into his executive duties as principal and later to his still more arduous duties as superintendent of schools, to which position he was appointed in 1925.
 Throughout his association with the schools of Waterbury Dr. Donovan main tained high standard and worked to the utmost to place the local schools on an equal standard with the best in the country That he was successful is evidenced in the high standing of Waterbury students in the various colleges, it being commonly known that Waterbury students have always been most satisfactory in the colleges to which they have matrculated. In closing it can only be added that pr. Donovan was fine citizen, man of splendid character ? christian gentleman who was true member of his church, the Roman Catholic. and a man to be respected and admired for such qualities