John Crossan O'Donovan
August 16, 1939 - January 19, 2025
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Obituary For John Crossan O'Donovan
Our beloved husband, dad, father-in-law, and grandfather, Dr. John Crossan O’Donovan (known as Cross to most), passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, at his home in Raleigh, NC. He was 85 years old.
Cross was born in Baltimore, where he attended Gilman School and later Yale, before returning to his hometown to study medicine at Johns Hopkins. He endured an internship at Duke—an experience brightened only by meeting Brenda, a nurse-to-be and the love of his life. Cross then served as a Medical Officer aboard a Navy troop carrier during the Vietnam War. He never saw combat but emerged as the undisputed family cribbage champion, a title he held for life.
Following his naval service, Cross completed his pediatric residency at Montreal Children’s Hospital, where their eldest daughter, Katie, was born. Ever the adventurer, he and Brenda moved to Kenya for a one-year fellowship, where twins Ross and Reed entered the world. The family later put down roots in Dundalk, Maryland, where Cross founded a thriving pediatric practice that spanned over 40 years. Brenda ran the office with aplomb, ensuring both the patients and Cross were kept in line. By the time they retired, their practice had grown to 19 employees and served thousands of patients.
Cross began easing into retirement in 2007, scaling back to one workday per week, and fully retired in 2013. Freed from the demands of the office, he took up new ventures: subpar golfing, volunteering as a teacher's aide at Battle Grove Elementary, and nurturing his lifelong passion for barbershop music. For 45 years, he sang with the Chorus of the Chesapeake, delighting audiences and enduring countless debates over the perfect pitch.
He was a connoisseur of Baltimore crabs, a die-hard Orioles fan, and a proud member of “The Greening of Dundalk,” where he helped plant trees to replace aging sycamores. A recycler to his core, he never passed a stray can on the street without pulling over to rescue it. Despite these green-thumb tendencies, his gardening skills left much to be desired—any bush he trimmed never fully recovered.
In 2019, Cross and Brenda relocated to Raleigh, NC, to be closer to their children. There, he joined "The Cypress Sharpshooters" pool team, continued singing in a barbershop quartet, and participated in the Great Decisions program, engaging in lively debates on global affairs. He stayed up to date on politics, history, and science, devouring Scientific American and offering sage answers to any question his family dared to ask.
Cross’s family was his greatest joy. He is survived by Brenda, his beloved wife of 58 years, their children Katie Hanusik (Tom), Ross O’Donovan (Jessica), and Reed O’Donovan (Jacqui), eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His legacy includes not only a lifetime of laughter and love but also his unwavering ability to drag reluctant grandchildren to symphony concerts they eventually admitted were “kind of okay.”
He will be remembered for his wry sense of humor, love of music, passion for debate, and ability to make every moment—no matter how mundane—feel extraordinary. His absence leaves a void that even Baltimore crabs and perfectly recycled cans cannot fill.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation or Reading Partners.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 1 from 2-4 at The Cypress of Raleigh in the ballroom.
Services
Memorial Service
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
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Condolences
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January 30, 2025
Know that many of your friends in the Dundalk Chapter share your sadness with the passing of Cross. He was such a vibrant part of our chapter over the years and an accomplished quartet singer who shared his enthusiasm whenever we gathered. We have missed his smile these last few years. Please accept our condolences and prayers for you and your family.
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January 27, 2025
We are so sorry to hear of Dr. O'Donova ns passing. There wasn't a better pediatrician to be found. No matter the hour of the day or night Dr.O'Donovan gave of his time and wisdom to a worried mother, always pleasant and understanding. Our heartfelt sympathy extends to his entire family. May all the wonderful memories he left you with help to comfort you during this sad time. May he rest in peace with our heavenly Father. Love and hugs to Mrs. Brenda O'Donovan and family. Sincerely, The Brenner family, Gary, Angela, Crystal, Gary Jr., Jonathan, and Brady are
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January 26, 2025
I'm so sad to read this. Dr O'Donovan was a Godsend to me as a new mother. He was always so patient and caring with a great sense of humor. My first husband John was handicapped and Cross would stop by to play cribbage with him. I remember Brenda always greeting us with a big smile. I feel so blessed to have had him guide me through those scary first years of parenting. I'm so sorry for your loss. Fondly - Myra Collett Noonkester
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January 26, 2025
Doctor O'Donovan was my children's pediatrician during the mid 80's and early 90's. During a particularly cold stretch in 1986 I called him frantic because my infant was very sick and I was afraid to take him out at night in the extreme cold. Dr. O'Donovan calmly asked for my address. I was floored. My son had pneumonia which of course was very serious. To this day I'll never forget his kindness and steady hand with a frantic mother. A true hero. K. Somers
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January 25, 2025
I first met Dr. O'Donovan at City Hospital, where I worked as secretary to the Medical Director of Pediatrics. Dr. O'Donovan was one of the doctors there. He became a favorite part of my days. When I was pregnant with my first child in 1984, I asked him to please be my pediatrician. He was a wonderful doctor, so calm and caring, and put a new mother at ease. His wife, Brenda, was his front desk secretary at that time. She was such a sweet person, so kind and caring and so knowledgeable. I loved that office.My favorite memory is of me carrying my newborn so very carefully and gently into his office for a checkup, and him picking her up and putting her in a football hold upside down! to put her on the scale, to see my horrified reaction! He was the best and I always felt reassured. I went to many of his Chorus of the Chesapeake events. I have thought of Dr. O'Donovan so many times through the years. I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Deborah Borsos
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January 23, 2025
What can I say. He was a great doctor. Sunday office visits. Call back when he was at a Bull Roast so many other things. It's hard to find a doctor like that anymore. You will be missed by many. Hugs to all Lane Family
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January 23, 2025
I met Cross O'Donovan at Dundalk's St. Rita's choir where we sang together at mass in the Adult Choir. He was kind enough to give me pointers in singing and how to follow the choir director. He liked my voice and said I "had it" to sing in the choir. He was always pleasant and had a positive attitude. Both me and my wife Patricia extend our deepest sympathy to the O'Donovan family. He will be in Heaven singing hymns to the Angels. God Bless him and may he forever Rest in Peace. Edward & Patricia Briggs
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January 23, 2025
I have so many fond memories of Dr O'Donovan! From neighborhood bull roasts, to blizzard parties, to trips to Cherry Grove, SC and so on...Dr O'D was always a favorite! Sending my love and prayers to Miss Brenda, Katie, Ross, Reed and family. (I'm sure he's having a drink with mom and Ellen right now!) XoXo
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January 23, 2025
My sympathies to the O'Donovan family. Dr. O'Donovan was my pediatrician for my three girls. Always greeted you a smile and took the time to talk with you. My appointments never felt rushed. When I moved from Dundalk, I continued to take my girls to his practice. May he Rest in Peace. Karen Victorine Burkhardt
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January 23, 2025
Dr. O'Donovan was my daughter's pediatrician from her birth in 1979, until she was about 11 or so, when we moved to Harford County from Dundalk. I'll never forget his kindness, his humor, his gentle manner, and his skill as a doctor. His being a part of the Chorus of the Chesapeake was a pleasant surprise; Fred King was my father's first cousin. My condolences to all of his family, friends, and chorus mates. May he rest peacefully.
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January 23, 2025
Loved the O'Donavans . Had the pleasure to babysit for the family. Mrs O'Donavan shared her love of nursing with me and I followed in those footsteps by becoming a nurse . I had the pleasure of working with the docs brother Dr Charles O'Donavan at Union Memorial Hospital. Lovely man he will be missed by all that knew him as a teenager he left a positive mark on me!
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January 22, 2025
Kevin and Jane again. We meant privileged to have known him. I m sure Cross would have been amused by the auto correct screw up.
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January 22, 2025
We cannot express how much Cross and your family has meant to us over the years. Among many other things he saved our mom s life on one occasion. We were all price hedged to have known him. God bless you. Kevin Garrity & Jane Garrity Plantholt
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January 22, 2025
Brenda and family, We are so sad to hear of Cross's passing. What a lovely, gentle, fun, kind and wise man, and what a loss to those who loved him or had the good fortune to have benefitted from his friendship or care. We were blessed to have met and hung out with you both and to hear stories from your time in Montreal (and other adventures). With deepest sympathy, Vicki Lynn, Terry, Peter and Ethan (and Hayden, our 2015 tagalong whose parents were most grateful and impressed by Cross's professional advice on his first trip outside of Canada).
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January 22, 2025
Cross's participation in the Surprise! Quartet will be with me always. Be comforted with the memories of his selfless contributions to the medical profession and society in general. He is, and will be missed. -John Grant
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January 21, 2025
I had the honor of knowing Dr. O'Donovan not only as my very first pediatrician but very personally as well growing up. My mom was hired by him right before finding out she was pregnant with me over 32 years ago. I attended beautiful Christmas parties at their home where he allowed all of the children in attendance to decorate their Christmas tree. I babysat his grandchildren several times, one time he even took me and his granddaughter to the zoo and aquarium while I was babysitting! I remember him playing books on tape so clearly in the car on the way there. My mom has remained in contact with him and Mrs. Brenda after all these years and he would ask her "how's E doing?" Not only was he a wonderful pediatrician, but a truly wonderful man. May you rest in peace Dr. O'Donovan. Love always, Erica "E" Rockstroh
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January 21, 2025
A lovely and most fitting Obituary. Prayers for you Brenda and your family. I will remember Dr. O'Donovan as a man who touched many lives (including mine). Love, hugs. peace, and prayers
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January 21, 2025
To The Family of Dr. O'Donovan, I was devastated to hear this news. He was the best Pediatrician in the world to me. Dr. O'Donovan was my son's pediatrician from the time he entered the world on 6/23/1985. I would call him almost constantly with every single little thing that was wrong. He was always kind and always available to see us. When my son passed away suddenly from a car accident at age 22 (Richard Stulich III). I will never forget Dr. O'Donovan giving me a big hug at the funeral with tears. That was the last time I saw him. He was always available to his patients. He was a kind, brilliant doctor. He often told I gave him most of his gray hair. Being a mother for the first time: I had no clue what I was doing. He was supportive and helped me through all my son's illnesses and assured me he would be fine. To his family my deepest condolences for your loss. Sending many prayers, hugs and love. Lisa (Yannacci) Harle.
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January 21, 2025
Reed and family, sending so much love to you and your family during this difficult time. Cross left quite the legacy as he navigated this world. Please know your Hunters Pt. Family is here for you. Love, Alex and Lu
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