Deacon Bob O’Donovan, a native Long Islander, married Kathleen McGowan of Franklin Square (St. Catherine of Siena) in 1968. Kathy and Bob have four children and a current count of ten grandchildren. Deacon Bob is a 1964 graduate of Chaminade High School and a 1968 graduate of Siena College. He met his wife Kathy at Molloy College where she majored in elementary education also graduating in 1968. They have lived around the country while Bob pursued careers in law enforcement, Army (Viet Nam era veteran), professional sports and business. His avocations include coaching, education, and volunteerism. During his 15 year tenure on the Wantagh Board of Education he was honored by Hofstra University as Long Island’s Lay Educator of the Year. Various business careers eventually found him as president of the Cycle Products Division of the American Recreation Group and later he was President and CEO of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, managing and directing special congressional projects relating to recreational, potable and fishable waters. For ten years, retiring in 2010, he served as the business manager of the Church of Saint Aidan in Williston Park.
Ordained in 1991 he has served St. Frances de Chantal Parish in varied ministries of Faith Formation, Director of Marriage preparation including Pre – Cana and FOCCUS, Baptismal Prep, Counseling, Virtus Training, Liturgy Committee, moderator of CYO and as the Chaplain of the Parish Knights of Columbus. Deacon Bob preaches often at weekend liturgies and serves the parish community at wake services, funerals, weddings, baptisms and special Liturgies. As Deacon, Father and Grandfather, Deacon Bob has had the incredible privilege of witnessing at the marriage of all four of his children and celebrating the baptisms of all his grandchildren.
To contact Deacon Bob: (516) 785 – 2333 x 107 or dcbob@saintjanefrances.org