GLOUCESTER: José Otto “Joe” Odum, 37, passed away on November 14, 2010.
Born at the Chelsea Naval Hospital on April 2, 1973, he was the son of Brenda L. Odum. He was a graduate of the Gloucester High School and attended Wentworth Institute, where he studied architecture.
His passion for woodworking led him to become a master finish carpenter. Due to his precision in his craft, he was the recipient of several awards for his outstanding work. He had also been employed as a fisherman and landscaper.
Joe enjoyed boating, biking, white water rafting, hiking, and recreational fishing with family. He loved dogs and left behind a favorite dog, Hooch. Joe loved to travel and was a certified scuba diver. His favorite trips included visits to St. John Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Ireland.
Above all, Joe was known to be a loving and devoted father. His daughter, Ava, meant the world to him. He loved to bike ride and hike with Ava in tow. Friends and family of Joe describe him as someone with a big heart and a great smile. He will be greatly missed.
In addition to his mother and daughter, Ava Jewell Odum, age 3; he is survived by his parents, William and Marge Jewell, sisters and their spouses Penny and Jason Sperry, Johanna Fulford and Adilson Pires, Elizabeth and Brian Crowley; nephews, Jason, Jakob, Jamal, Bryce, and Ben; a niece, Emma; foster brothers David, Michael, Christopher, Jeremy, and Zachari Jewell; foster sister, Nicole Jewell; stepfather, Scott Fulford; his maternal grandparents, George and Nancy Odum; grandmother, Mairi Fulford; and the mother of his daughter, Nichole Lefavour. Joe also leaves behind many aunts and uncles, including, Mary Cribbs, and numerous cousins, including Brenda O’Leary and Lisa Hudson. He leaves extended family members, his close friend and father figure, Jimmy Vachon, Christian Dagley, Larry Rodolosi, Jodi Scola, Kris Gallante, Jerry McKay, Joe Parady, Julie and Chris Burroughs and Erika Watson. He was also predeceased by his grandfather, Robert “Man o’War” Fulford; an uncle, Bruce Fulford; grandmother, Marjorie Wilson, and great-grandfather, Adolph Peura.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday morning in the Community Church of East Gloucester, 7 Chapel Street at 11 a.m. Visiting hours will be held in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester on Monday from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the José Odum Memorial Fund, c/o Citizens Bank, 147 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930.