John F. O'Donnell, age 80
Born in County Kerry Ireland and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, John graduated from North Cambridge Catholic High School in 1962. He proudly served in the Air Force Reserve before earning a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1977. John dedicated many years to the Norton Company. He then found his second career working for Michael J Connolly and Sons.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia (Patty) O'Donnell. John and Patty’s love story began on a blind date at a spaghetti supper in Cambridge - a moment that sparked a lifetime of cherished memories. John and Patty moved to Franklin where they shared 55 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised three children: John Jr., Kerry (aka the creamy middle), and Katy, and welcomed a daughter-in-law Amy and son-in-law Pete with loving arms. He was a devoted grandfather to Jake, Ryan, Abby, Sean, and Nick, who brought him immense joy and many laughs. He is also survived by his loving brother Michael O'Donnell and his wife Maureen, nephews Sean and Kevin and his niece Erin.
John first met many of his Franklin friends at the St. Mary’s Parish Club and those friendships flourished during the annual St. Rocco’s festival where he worked the ground crew setting up and breaking down the booths and doing anything else Rocco’s Rockettes needed. He was also quick to volunteer to coach youth soccer and basketball, despite not really understanding the games, and enjoyed operating the spotlight at many FSPA shows.
John loved helping others with their chores. It would usually start with him loaning a tool, but he would inevitably be found at someone else’s house working on a project while Patty’s “honey-do” list went untouched. An avid tinkerer, John found joy in puttering around in his garage, making many trips to Home Depot, and completing countless oil changes and brake jobs in his driveway for family and friends - he especially liked to remind his daughter Kerry to “check your fluids,” every time she backed her car out of his driveway. But his real superpower was his unique skill for taking naps, or as he called it “just resting my eyes”, anytime, anywhere.
John also enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, from reading the Sunday Globe to cruising with the top down in his convertible to get a strawberry ice cream.
Later in life, he could be found relaxing and walking the strip at Fort Myers Beach, traveling with the 1776 crew, savoring wings at the Rome (especially when Patty was traveling) and sharing a glass of wine at La Cantina Winery when she returned. John's friendships extended throughout his new neighborhood, known affectionately as "the Hood”, where he could be found taking daily walks, frequently stopping at the VOH clubhouse to get the mail and sit in the rocking chair waiting for neighbors to walk by, and playing cribbage on Monday nights.
Upon passing he became an organ donor so even after he was ready to move on, he still found a way to help others. And now we are sure John is with his friends sharing a bottle of Irish Mist – two ice cubes and fill it to the top!
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Wednesday September 25th, at 10AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church 1 Church Square, Franklin at 11AM.
Interment will follow at the parish cemetery.
Calling hours are Tuesday Sept. 24th, from 5-7PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Franklin Food Pantry (www.franklinfoodpantry.org).
Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com