John B. O'Donnell O'Donnell

John B. O’Donnell Jr., of Needham, formerly of Brighton, died on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at Avery manor in Needham he was 88 years old. Born in Manchester NH, he was the son of the late John B. and Mary Frances (Linen) O’Donnell. Raised in Watertown, John was a graduate of Watertown High School. A World War II US Navy veteran, he enlisted in June of 1942 and served until his honorable discharge in December of 1945. John attended Boston University at night and graduated from BU in 1963. He was employed by the Boston Housing Authority as a union bricklayer. He was a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local 3. John was an active parishioner and volunteer at Saint Gabriel’s Church in Brighton and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Beloved husband for 59 years of the late Margaret M. (Doyle) O’Donnell. Loving father of Peggy Conlin and her husband Paul of Woburn, Ellen O'Donnell of Needham, John B. III and his wife Diane of Stoneham, and Peter F. and his wife Laura of Melrose. Second father of Kathleen Darcy & her husband John of Winchester. Brother of Margaret Swartz of St. Louis, MO, Patricia Bray of Milton, Francis X. O’Donnell of New Port Ritchey, FL, Dorothy Nelson of Yuma, AZ, Gael O’Donnell of No. Attleboro and the late Joseph, Mary, Gerald, Thomas and Barbara. Grandfather of Paul Jr., Sean, Katelyn, Jim, John B. IV, Cheryl, Richard, David, April, Casey and Stephanie. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Funeral from the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave., Needham on Saturday, November 13 at 9am followed by a mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church at 10am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours on Friday from 4-8pm. Interment with Military Honors at St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to E.C. Week at Camp Fatima, P.O. Box 206, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837 in honor of John’s grandson Casey.

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