Obituaries

OBIT: Michael Donovan, 38, Advocate for Children with Autism & Other Challenges, Devoted to Family & Friends

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Michael Donovan

The Donovan, Lazarus, Zinsmeyer, and Eurich families are devastated to share that Michael Maurice Donovan passed away on March 20th, 2026, from complications related to Marfan Syndrome. At only 38 years of age, this loving husband, son, brother, cousin, uncle and friend left us much too soon, but he will stay with us in rich memories. 

In his toddler years, Mike had long blonde hair and an irresistible, mischievous grin. Later at Shady Hill School, he found his quiet but razor-sharp wit, which he hid behind a subtle smile and a spark in his eyes until the moment came for the perfect quip. From an early age, Mike also possessed something that many of us still search for: the ability to completely and comfortably be himself. This gave him a quiet charisma and unflappable kindness that is hard to describe but impossible to forget. 

As a teenager, he became a leader on the lacrosse, soccer, and basketball teams at Beaver Country Day School, where he also uncovered a passion for English literature that stayed with him through his time at Occidental College.

Around Town

Watertown Historical Society Event Focuses on True Crime Story from Colonial Times

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The Historical Society of Watertown will host a talk about a historical true crime, and host its annual meeting on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Library. See more information provided by the Historical Society, below. Annual Members Meeting with Election of Board Members Immediately following slide show and talk by historian Marie Daly: “Incident at Rock Meadow — True Crime Story of Ruth Sawtell & Thomas Loveran.”

Location: Watertown Free Public LibraryWatertown Savings Bank Meeting Room123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472

In 17th century Watertown, Zachariah Smith fled charges of unlawful relations with neighbor Ruth Sawtell. The ensuing repercussions of his subsequent murder contributed to the outbreak of King Philip’s War. Three years later, an assignation with another neighbor made Ruth Sawtell a repeat offender, and the scene of their crime was the “Great Rock” in Rock Meadow.

Around Town

Group from Watertown Joining the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Walks for Peace:

Join the Watertown Walks for Peace Team on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, and support the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. This year is the 12th consecutive year that the Watertown team will participate in the 5K Walk for Peace. For those who would like to walk with us, there will be a bus leaving Watertown at 7:30 a.m. and returning to Watertown by noon. Sign up here to walk, donate, or take the bus to Dorchester.  

–> Sign up to walk, or donate. –> Sign up for a free bus which will depart from First Parish in Watertown at 7:30 a.m. (returning by noon), or meet us at Fields Corner at 8am. Whether you walk, donate, or both, you’ll be part of a strong, hopeful community working for peace. 

The Peace Institute was founded by Chaplain Clementina Chery, the mother of Louis D. Brown, after her son was shot and killed in 1993 by random gunfire. The Peace Institute has become an inspiration and model for breaking the cycle of violence for all of those affected by gun violence in Boston and beyond. A donation to the Peace Institute helps to provide vital services to families and communities affected by murder and trauma with dignity and compassion. 

The Peace institute and its partnership with the city of Boston has helped to make Boston one of the safest cities in the U.S. and is a model around the world. It embodies the hopes we all have for a better future for all. To learn more: https://ldbpeaceinstitute.org/

Come be inspired by the words of Massachusetts leaders, join a welcoming community of supporters, and help the Watertown team surpass its past fundraising success in raising over $6,000.

Around Town

Parts of School Street Closed This Week as Part of Mt. Auburn Street Project

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This week drivers can expect detours and lane closures along Mt. Auburn Street, including a complete closure of a block of School Street. See more information provided by the City of Watertown, below. Milling and Paving

Milling (removal of the top layer of pavement) and paving will occur on Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street and Chauncy Street and on School Street between Porter Street and Adams Avenue. Detours will be in place for this work.

Around Town

Japanese A-bomb Survivors Appearing in Watertown During Visit to the Boston Area

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment:

Japanese A-bomb survivors, who have transformed their excruciating physical and emotional wounds into the world’s strongest force for nuclear weapons abolition, are coming to the Boston area to help us reinvigorate our movement. The delegation, which includes Hiroshi Kanamoto, Yoshinori Ohmura, and Yayoi Tsuchida, will have recently participated in meetings for the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference at the United Nations. 

We face unprecedented times on the world stage with the risk of the use of nuclear weapons and the potential for a nuclear accident increasing daily. With the end of long-established nuclear treaties between the U.S. and Russia, the absence of any confidence building dialogues among the nine nuclear nations, and the consideration of non-nuclear nations to acquire nuclear capability, we must do whatever we can to move the goal of nuclear disarmament forward. 

Come learn from those who have experienced the nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and its consequences and those who are leading the nuclear disarmament efforts in Japan. Our guests are Hirosi Kanamoto the Assistant Secretary General of Nihon Hidankyo, the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize recipient organization, Yoshinori Ohmura a second generation Hibakusha and a leading figure in Nihon Hidankyo, and Yayoi Tsuchida the Assistant Secretary General of Gensuikyo, the Japan Council against A- & H-Bombs. Organized by Dr. Joseph Gerson, a long-time resident of Watertown and the Executive Director of the Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security, the delegation will join nuclear disarmament activists at events in Cambridge on May 3, in Bridgewater on May 4, and in Worcester on May 5. Special note about the Cambridge event: People will be welcome at 1991 Massachusetts Avenue beginning at 2 p.m. You can register for any of the three events at https://cpdcs.org/events/join-japanese-a-bomb-survivors-massachusetts-disarmament-activists/

Intimate Gathering with the Delegation

There will be a special gathering with the delegation in Watertown on Sunday, May 3 at 11 a.m. at the home of Dr. Joseph Gerson and Lani Gerson at 4 Washburn Street in Watertown Please RSVP to watertowncitizens.org. 

This event is being sponsored by the Nuclear Disarmament Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment. We hope that you will join us for an intimate opportunity to learn from and share with the members of the delegation. The Nuclear Disarmament Committee organized the Citizen Petition in support of a Nuclear Disarmament Resolution to the City Council in February. While the Council defeated the Resolution 4-5, organizing the effort provided an important opportunity engage with Watertown Citizens about the dangers of nuclear war and the need for nuclear disarmament. 

Charity

Watertown High Grad Raises More Than $10K to Fight Kids Cancer

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Shane and Brady Gleason shaved their heads to raise money to battle kids cancer at The Buzz Off. (Contributed Photo)

A Watertown son and father drew a big crowd to watch them shave their heads for a good cause, and raised several thousand dollars. Watertown High School grad Brady Gleason hosted the Buzz Off on April 17. The event raised money for One Mission Helping Kids Fight Cancer. Brady’s father, Shane, said that this had been a long time cause for his son.

Around Town

Lafayette Celebrated (Again) in Watertown for Contributions to American Revolution

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Watertown officials celebrated the new historical marker in honor of General Lafayette. From left, Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli, Council President Mark Sideris, Marilynne Roach of the Historical Society, City Manager George Proakis, Julien Icher of the Lafayette Trail, Joyce Kelly from the Historical Society, and City Councilor Caroline Bays. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a drizzly, cool morning, a small crowd of Watertown history buffs came out to celebrate a Frenchman who played an important role in winning the American Revolution. During the ceremony, Watertown’s newest historical marker was unveiled, honoring the Marquis de Lafayette, who served as a general in the American Army. On Sunday, April 19, the red sign with a blue border and white lettering was presented by Julien Icher, Founder & President of The Lafayette Trail Inc.

The marker celebrates a visit by Lafayette, said Marilynne Roach from the Historical Society of Watertown.

Charity

More Than 400 Volunteer Opportunities During 12th Annual Watertown Helps Out

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Watertown Helps Out starts soon and there are hundreds of ways to give back to the community. See more information in the announcement provided by the Watertown Community Foundation, below. The Watertown Community Foundation, with the support of local company sponsors and the City of Watertown, is kicking off the 12th Annual Watertown Helps Out (WHO), a month of community service, taking place throughout the month of May. This year’s corporate sponsors include ButcherBox and Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Arsenal Yards Life Sciences, C4 Therapeutics, Kymera Therapeutics and Watertown Savings Bank. From May 2 through May 31, the Watertown Community Foundation invites residents, businesses, schools and neighborhoods to come together and volunteer to make a positive impact across the city.