Rockland – John V. O’Donnell 93, a longtime resident of Rockland, died Wednesday February 14 after a period of failing health.
Born in Brockton in 1923, he was the son of the late John J. and Sidoni (Lamontagne) O’ Donnell.
Raised and educated in Whitman John was a graduate of Whitman High School, Class of 1941. He furthered his education graduating from Mass Maritime Academy in 1944.
He served four years in the US Navy during World War II, attaining the rank of LTJG. Serving mainly in the South Pacific, he took part in many invasions including Saipan, Luzon and Iwo Jima. He had served as engineer on the LSD USS Belle Grove and the USS Stafford, receiving a Purple Heart for an injury received during an attack and hit of the USS Stafford by Kamikaze planes.
After thirty-six years, he retired from the Whitman Post Office in 1987.
He was a member of VFW of Whitman and a longtime communicant of the Holy Family Church of Rockland.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years Jean (Thorpe) O’ Donnell, and his children David O’Donnell of Whitman, Dr. Brian O’Donnell and his wife Liane of Freeport, Maine and Lynne Burns and her husband Bernard of Whitman. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Nolan, Kate, Chelsea, Clint, Corey, Connor and Fabio.
His funeral service will be held Monday February 20 at 8:15 AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth Street (Rte. 58 @ the rotary) Whitman, followed by a funeral Mass at 9:00 AM in Holy Family Church, Rockland. Visiting hours will be held Sunday February 19 from 2:00-5:00 PM.