Honorees

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Year Honored
2002
Honoree
Geoffrey L Donovan
Agency
Southern Tier Air Rescue
Agency City
Ithaca
Agency State
NY
Last Call
12/9/91
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Geoff was a kind man, a real people person. He gave his all to any project in which he was involved, making it near perfection. He constantly strove to better himself. He loved photography and it was through his photo work that he realized his passion for EMS and helping others. He had previously worked for suicide prevention and with the disabled, and always sought to find the good in people. Mr. Donovan was excited and could hardly wait for the birth of his first child. His son, Geoffrey James, can always be proud of his father's legacy. The example his father set was that of an everyday hero whose work in helping others will live forever.<br /> <br /> Geoffrey Lincoln Donovan, 29, died December 9, 1991 of fatal injuries when the helicopter he was riding in crashed. The "Star" helicopter crew of four was transporting a critically ill patient to Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira, New York. Geoffrey was a part-time paramedic with Southern Tier Air Rescue of Ithaca, New York. He was based at Tompkins Community Hospital, presently known as Cayuga Medical Center. He worked full time for Bangs Ambulance Service. The rescue helicopter served a large section of upstate New York. Geoff was instrumental in the establishment of The Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Program of Tompkins County.<br /> <br /> Mr. Donovan was also a park ranger for Six Mile Creek and worked as a photographer for the Ithaca Times. He was a volunteer for the New field Volunteer Fire Department. He loved everything he did and had accomplished more in his twenty-nine years of living than most accomplish in a lifetime. Geoff's talents are sorely missed by all agencies in which he was involved.<br /> <br /> Honored 2002