Longtime Bridgewater Firefighter Dies At 93

Bridgewater, NJ -- A former 55-year-firefighter and past president of the Country Hills Volunteer Company in Bridgewater has died.

Michael George (Mickey) Hovan, 93, of Branchburg, died on April 22, 2016.

Viewing will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 US Highway 202 So. Branchburg, NJ 08876.

Funeral services will start with a prayer at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday April 27, 2016 followed by a 9:30 a.m. funeral mass at St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Raritan.

Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Bridgewater.

• Hovan's obituary:

Born March 25, 1923 in Raritan, NJ, he was the son of the late Catherine (Pach) Hovan and George Hovan.

Mickey was a proud Army Veteran of World War II, serving with the 71st Signal Service and Company D in Japan and was a life member of the VFW Post 2290 in Manville. He was a dedicated fireman, past president and 55-year dedicated member of the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company, and he enjoyed spending time with his fellow firemen, especially in his later years. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Raritan.

Mickey worked as a supervisor of maintenance and construction for American Cyanamid Co. for 45 years until his retirement. He enjoyed tinkering with machines and tools and could make, build or fix almost anything. He loved to spend time outdoors and in particular loved planting, gardening and riding his tractor. He was an avid NY Yankees fan. He loved traveling to Aruba and Maine, loved animals, the ocean and deep sea fishing. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Mickey was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Phyllis Dannucci Hovan, his three daughters, Linda (Chris) Polaski of Hillsborough, Nancy (Randy) Kordell of South Bound Brook and Michele, of Delaware Township; and his grandchildren, Brian, Jennifer and Matthew Kordell, and Andrea and Christopher Polaski.

Mickey was predeceased by his parents and his two sisters, Margaret Hovan and Sister Catherine Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mickey's memory may be made to the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company, 264 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

(Photo, Branchburg Funeral Home: Michael George (Mickey) Hovan, 93, of Branchburg, died on April 22, 2016.)