HUDSON – Hudson resident and native John “Jack” Donovan retired on Jan. 6 after 36 years of patrol duty on the Hudson Police Force.
On his last duty day, Jan. 6, he was formally recognized for his longtime service with presentation of an award containing his first and current badges by Chief Rick DiPersio and Capt. Chad Perry. He was also honored by family and friends at a retirement party at Riverside Gun Club on Jan. 14.
Donovan served during the tenure of six chiefs: current Chief Rick DiPersio, John Downing, Paul Veo, Dick Braga, David Stephens and Michael Burks Sr. He said he was happy to be part of the Community Action team, organized by Chief DiPersio, which participated in “Shop with a Cop,” “Movie Night” and other local events. He said these events “help the public to see policemen as part of the community.”
Son of the late “Doc” and Mary Donovan, Jack was born in Hudson and graduated from Hudson High School in 1979. He worked for a short time at the former Hudson Broach before joining the police force in 1986. He and his wife Bonnie (Nosek) Donovan are parents of son Matthew, a Wareham policeman; daughter Erin Donovan, coding educator at a Boston hospital and daughter Kelsey Donovan of Waltham, teacher at a Boston Charter school; they are proud grandparents of Jeannette Donovan, 7, daughter of Matt and Katie Donovan.
“It was the best job I could have had,” said Donovan.
He said that in retirement he hopes to better his golf game, and he also has a “Honey-do” list from wife, Bonnie. The couple will mark their 40th wedding anniversary on Oct. 9.
Happy retirement Jack!
‘Symphonic Treasures’ Feb. 4-5
Symphony Pro Musica, now in its 40th year, will present “Symphonic Treasures” the weekend of Feb. 4 and 5: Feb. 4 at 7:30 at Hudson High School and Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s School, Southborough. Maria loudenich, guest soloist, will present Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Orchestral presentations, conducted by SPM founder Mark Churchill, will include Debussy’s “Prelude to Afternoon of a Faun” and Borodin’s “Symphony No. 3.” For ticket information go to www.symphonypromusica.org.
Alltown Fresh opens
Alltown Fresh opens this month at 240 Washington St., former site of Tuck’s Service Station. The gas station and food store was recently granted a common victualler’s license by the Select Board. Formal ribbon cutting will be Feb. 15 at noon.
Mr. Tom storytime goes on
Hudson resident Tom Rouse has retired from the staff of the children’s department of the Hudson Public Library, but will continue to volunteer at “Mr. Tom and Miss Jillian” storytime twice a month. Rouse joined the staff in 2007 as circulation assistant.
Librarian Jillian Bennett said she is glad that he will continue at storytime “as he is wonderful with the children and shares his joy of music.”
Rouse is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rouse, and his paternal grandmother, Ethel Rouse, was a Hudson teacher. Happy retirement Tom!
Lower bird count
A lower count was a result of the annual Christmas Bird Count of the Hudson/Marlborough sector on Jan. 1, according to Hudson resident Brian Parker, administrator.
Count was 1,873 individual birds of 45 species, considerably lower than recent years. Parker said, “The weather was fine (maybe too good), and lots of open water, but for some unknown reason birds were few and far between.”
Highlights were two different bald eagles, four ruddy ducks, three American coots and one Eastern screech owl. Parker expressed his appreciation to all the feed watchers and regular counters.
Hogan in Hudson
State Rep. Kate Hogan will hold office hours for Hudson constituents Tuesday, March 14 from 6-7 p.m. at the Hudson Public Library, Tavares room.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jan. 21 – Paul Provencher
Jan. 22 – Amy Coletti
Jan. 28 – David Paquette, Karen Rundlett and Linda Palmer
Jan. 29 – Don Coletti, Marcie Wheeler, Ben Davis and Danielle Wallingford
Jan. 30 – Cindy Coletti, Janet Wisti, Dave Burney, Derek Mangus and Aria Wolczak
Jan. 31 – George Anastas, Randy Jusseaume, Dan Borella, Debbie Greeno, Tom Tedstone, Amber Rose Cunha, “A.J.” Leandres and Jesse Hayden
Feb. 1 – Elaine Braga, Tory Bartolini, Kristen Grillo and Elizabeth Battisti
Feb. 2 – Alicia Sheehan, Ethan Bushey, Cindy Costabile, Don Eastman and Cameron Greeno
Feb. 3 – Sarah Chamberlain and MacKenzie Micciche
Feb. 4 – Bill Rubino
Feb. 5 – Olivia and Sofia Filippi, Steve Sacco, Maureen Harrity, Mattingly Fahey and Kristen Kierstead Chaisson
Feb. 6 – Carmen Giombetti, David Esteves and Sally Deptula
Feb. 7 – Philip Wilson Chase, Gina Downey and Julia Scafidi
Feb. 8 – Trisha Desmond, Joe Palange, Brendan O’Brien, Millie deWolfe and John White
Feb. 9 – Ty Coletti, Heather Rockwell, Paul Hester, Barbara Baker, Gavin Capobianco, Zachary Kent, Jordy Callahan, Laurie DeArcangelis and Claire Szcerdenski
Feb. 10 – John Craig, Loreen Balthazar, Pat Chartrand, Christopher O’Keefe, Kevin Carter and Brady Caramanica
LOOKING BACK TO 1971
Trophy winners in the annual Hudson Aerie of Eagles shuffleboard tournament were Robert Sneddon, Richard Rader and Robert Leazer. Among Hudson Elks delivering Christmas Dinners to Hudson families were: Moose Longhi, Dick Moraes, Chick MacPherson, Ed Marston, Charlie Millett, Phil Donovan, Al and Tony Senecal.
Mrs. Richard Curtis, president of the Hudson Woman’s Club, represented the club at the Boston convention of the Mass. Federation of Woman’s Clubs.
Dr. William Purcell was superintendent of schools. Alcoholic Beverages Commission notified Selectmen that town was eligible for another package store license due to increase in population. Brian Sullivan was chosen Most Valuable Player in the Williams College hockey tournament.
Send items for Hudson Happ’nings to 18 Cottage St., Hudson MA 01749 or email [email protected].
