James M. O’Donnell, 78, passed away Monday August 29, 2016 at the County Village Center in Lancaster, NH with his wife and step-daughter Laurie by his side. James was born in Salem, MA on July 5, 1938 the son of James T. and Charlotte (Blanchard) O’Donnell and was raised in the Salem, MA area. He graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School and Bentley College and he served in the United States Army. He was employed as an accountant by various banks, eventually retiring from the Berlin City Bank as the Vice President of the Finance Department. James was an avid sports fan especially the Boston Red Sox and coached local Cal Ripken baseball for many years. He was a member of Good Shepherd Parish and served on the finance council for many years. He and his wife Rita enjoyed traveling all over the world and wintering in Florida for many years.
Members of the family include his wife Rita (Halle) O’Donnell of Berlin; children James O’Donnell and wife Maureen of North Reading, MA, Linda Fortini and husband Don of Beverly, MA and Susan Osborne of Danvers, MA; daughter in-law Linda O’Donnell of Londonderry, NH; 9 grandchildren; sister Louise McCarthy and husband Jim of Queensbury, NY; step-children Susan Plourde and husband Roger of Hermon, ME; Laurie Bryant and husband Ed of Berlin, NH; Diane Stroud of Tilton, NH and Brian Erickson and wife Laurie of Vero Beach, FL; 5 step grandchildren; 4 step great granddaughters; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his first wife Jane O’Donnell and a son John O’Donnell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 10 AM at Holy Family Church, Church Street, Gorham, NH. Interment with Military Honors will be held Wednesday September 7, 2016 at 11:30 AM at St. Mary's Cemetery, 65 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA. Friends and relatives may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin, NH on Monday September 5, 2016 from 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Good Shepherd or Holy Family Memorial Fund, 151 Emery St., Berlin, NH, 03570.