John “Jack” Joseph O’Donnell
John “Jack” Joseph O’Donnell entered into eternal rest peacefully at his home in Cape Coral Monday, April 4, 2011. Born in Washington Heights in Manhattan, N.Y., on July 20, 1933, he was the beloved son of John Joseph O’Donnell of Broadmoor Parish County Clare, Ireland, and Honora Sheehan of Adrigole, County Cork, Ireland, and remained a loving brother to Noreen O’Donnell of Washington Heights in Manhattan, N.Y.
He was the devoted and cherished husband of Marion Teresa (D’Arville) O’Donnell, his true sweetheart, who preceded him in death in July 1994.
He will forever be remembered as an incredibly devoted, faith-filled and unconditionally loving father by his children, Marybeth (Paul) McLaughlin of Cape Coral, Danielle (Jeff) Palmer of North Fort Myers, John (Luanne) O’Donnell of Cape Coral, Denise (John) Carlin of Fort Myers, Karen O’Donnell of Boston, Paula O’Donnell of Boston and Jennifer O’Donnell of Boston, as well as his grandchildren, Christa (Kellan) Carrig, Brandon Lewis, Lauren Palmer, Jenna Palmer, Brooke Palmer, John O’Donnell, Michael O’Donnell, John Scott Carlin, Tyler Carlin.
He attended St. Rose of Lima Grammar School in Manhattan, N.Y., and All Hallows High School in Bronx, N.Y. After graduating from Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, he served in the U.S. Army in the 1950s during the occupation of Germany and then participated in the Reserves. He taught accounting courses at Edison Community College and practiced as a CPA in both New York and Florida, serving in controller and financial advising positions at Lee Memorial Health Systems for over 34 years.
Touching the lives of many people with his devotion to faith and family, Mr. O’Donnell’s sense of humor, unquestionable integrity in both his business and personal life, incredible breadth of knowledge on a variety of subjects, mastery of the art of conversation and gracious manner in dealing with all with whom he came in contact, as well as innumerable other qualities, will forever be cherished by his family and dear friends.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service Thursday, April 7, from 5-8 p.m., at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 S.W. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday, April 8, at 10 a.m. at St Andrew Catholic Church, Cape Coral.