WEBSTER – Paul N. O’Donnell, 86, formerly of Webster, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in the VA Medical Center in Brockton.
He leaves a son, Erick F. Horniak of Holden; 2 daughters, Kathleen & her husband David Nicholopoulos of Webster and Paula M. Berthiaume of Rutland; 6 grandchildren, Seth Davis, Chase Davis, Aija Nicholopoulos, Trent Nicholopoulos, Megan Berthiaume and Jessica Berthiaume; 4 great-grandchildren, Daysia Forbis, Olivia Davis, Luke Davis and Jake Davis; a sister, M. Theresa Hebenstreit of Worcester; nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter Deborah Davis in 2005, 2 brothers Joseph and Charlie O’Donnell, and 5 sisters, Gertrude Coolidge, Rosemary Rogers, Corinne Paris, Judith Mort and Jane Sharp.
He was born in Worcester on July 31, 1930, a son of Charles and Marie (Paquette) O’Donnell.
He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was the a member and past president of the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council and a member of the Webster-Dudley American Legion Post #184, both for 45 years. He was the former chairman of the July 4th parades. In 1994 Paul chaired a committee to put on a mega-parade honoring the veterans of the Desert Storm War. He initiated and ran the local Marines “Toys for Tots” program in Webster for many years. He was a past member of the Friends of the Polish American Veterans. He had served as the president of the Marine Corps League.
In his early years Mr. O’Donnell owned Dudley Plasticators Company. He was a tree worker and belonged to the Local Carpenters Union #107. He then was the owner and publisher of The Patriot Newspaper for 36 years, and championed dozens of local causes including the fight to save Hubbard Regional Hospital, the battle to stop the Douglas dump from coming to town, and his efforts to get Proposition 2 ½ passed, putting a cap on government spending. He instituted The Patriot’s annual Women’s Recognition Night which was held for 34 years. Paul loved the press since the time he was writing political columns for Ralph D’Andrea in the early seventies. He was a former member of the Mass Publisher’s Association. In addition, he was also a licensed real estate broker and had been a notary public for 40 years. He advocated bringing our troops home and organized the sending of many care packages to the troops overseas. He was formerly a Worcester County Sheriff for over 20 years. He was the first president of the Webster Tea Party. He presented the game trophy at the annual Bartlett-Shepherd Hill football game for many years. He was even named an honorary chief of the Nipmuc Indians.
Mr. O’Donnell was an advocate for anti-tax programs. He initiated the idea of housing for the elderly and fought for 5 years to bring it to Webster. He was a political activist and expressed his views freely in his newspaper. Whether you agreed with him or not, he was never afraid to express his opinion and open up another point of view on any subject.
Paul loved politics. He was a past secretary of the Democratic Town Committee. He belonged to the Charter Change Commission. He was the campaign manager for his good friend Bill Starzec when he ran for state representative in 1972. Later, with the help of Mr. John McNally, he organized an event at the Webster Town Hall with Senator Ted Kennedy as the guest speaker; this event attracted local and state officials and townspeople who filled the hall to capacity. He served on the Webster Finance Board and the Webster Conservation Board. He was also a former member of the Worcester City Police Association.
Mr. O’Donnell held many memberships. He was a life member of the Auburn-Webster Lodge of Elks #2118 as well as a former member of the Webster Lions Club and a former member and president of the Webster-Dudley Rotary Club. He had been a corporator of Hubbard Regional Hospital, of the United Way of Webster-Dudley, Inc. and of the Webster-Dudley Boys/Girls Club. He received the County Conservation Award. He also was involved in the Downtown Christmas Decorations Committee for the town.
He was a motorcycle enthusiast, an avid reader, writer, photographer and a person who loved to go shopping.
A memorial Mass will take place at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, November 17 in Saint Louis Church, 14 Lake Street (please meet at church). Donations in his name may be made to the Webster-Dudley Veteran’s Council, Veteran’s Way, Webster, MA 01570. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, MA.