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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Wednesday, February 03, 2016

Michael Donovan, RIP

Former Allentown City Council member W Michael Donovan passed away this morning after a lengthy illness. He was a champion of transparency and is one of the few elected officials I know who himself was an active blogger. More importantly, he was a good man, one of the best I've ever met. He is the person who first spoke of an urban growth regime in the Lehigh Valley. He always fought the good fight.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ah dammit.... RIP Michael. You will be missed.

The Banker

Anonymous said...

Very sad news. I believe I read a blog post from him only a week ago. May he now find peace and comfort, and be remembered fondly.

Fred Windish

Anonymous said...

That we should lose this fine man at this time is hard to comprehend.
My heart is heavy.

Anonymous said...

He was a good and decent man. Things would have been different in Allentown had he won.

Resident of Allentown said...

I am sorry to hear of our loss. A good hearted man.

Whethervain said...

It's rare that I engage a door-to-door politician soliciting my vote, but my time with this stranger - out on the sidewalk in front of my house on his 1st run for office - was memorable; I truly felt like I was talking with an engaging, SINCERE individual. RIP Michael.

Anonymous said...

shit. sorry

Anonymous said...

This man is gone while the vultures control the machinery of government?

There is no merciful God.

Anonymous said...

My condolences...

VOR

Monkey Momma said...

He was a thoughtful, gentle person with a heart of gold. May he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

I took a class from him at Cedar Crest in Finance during my graduate program. He was an interesting creature and had to be reminded how to add sometimes. It was amusing. He was very kind to me and spoke of his time in Allentown when giving examples.

Anonymous said...

A giant of a man.

Anonymous said...

A good, honest man who tried to always do the decent and thing. Condolences to his family.

Anonymous said...

May his Soul Rest in Peace!
I knew Michael's Dad and Uncle, not Micheal though. The Family owned Donovan's Liquor Store,on the Square in Lynnfield Mass. One mile from where I grew up as a young lad. My Dad bought his "libations" there It took till he came to Allentown for me to make his acquaintance. We used to "regale" each other in telling stories about that quaint old New England Village in the country. Micheal was a fine and honorable young man. God Bless his Family!
"Only the Good Die Young" is very appropriate here.
"The Old Allentown Curmudgeon" Paul Fiske

Anonymous said...

It's been exceedingly bleak for sometime in this hapless place.
Today it's too bleak to contemplate.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Some very fine tributes to a good man who will be missed.

Anonymous said...

He never took a dime.
Never pocketed a dime.
HE was a public servant!

Chris Casey said...

He was a good man with a good heart. He endured a lot the last few years, and God must have thought to ease his load. may he rest in peace.

john stoffa said...

An incredibly open and insightful person. I read his daily entries with keen interest. I don`t know his two sons but I do know he loved them dearly. RIP Michael.

Anonymous said...

A Prince.

Alfonso said...

A good man, indeed,

Alfonso Todd

Ned Donovan said...

Thank you all for your words. The service will be Saturday at 11am at Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ

Anonymous said...

@10:06

Ned,

I've read some of the things you've written about and for your father. We've never met, but it's obvious you're a very good and dutiful son. And there is no better thing to be in life.

My deepest sympathies.

- Jeffrey Anthony