Obituary of Joseph J. O'Donnell

May 3, 1945 – November 7, 2020

Joseph James O’Donnell.  Age 75 of Clearwater, FL.  Formerly of Wyandotte.

Devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother and Proud Marine, he passed away on November 7 due to Agent Orange exposure during combat service in Vietnam.  

Joe was born in Wyandotte, 1945, to Edward and Clara O’Donnell and was one of seven children.  After high school he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served four years of active duty achieving the rank of Sergeant.  Joe worked for the Wyandotte Public School System from which he retired in 2010 and he and his wife, Dian, moved to Clearwater Florida.  He was very active in the community and a member of the Elks Club, VFW, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus.  

Joe was the kind of person everyone talked to and never forgot.  He was the life of the party and would always strike up a conversation with anyone.  He did not know a stranger.  He had the ability to make you smile, laugh, and forget about your worries.   He loved listening and singing to 50’s music and had no problems picking up a microphone.  He was a proud and loyal Michigan fan. There are no words to emphasize how proud he was of being a Marine and passed away just a few days before the Marine Corps birthday.

Anyone who knew him knows he was one of the most dependable and loyal people you could come across and if Joe had your back, you were good to go.  His smile, his voice, and his laughter were contagious and will surely be missed.  He leaves behind great memories that will live on in our hearts forever, to include his family crest motto which he passionately lived by “In hoc signa vinces.”  “Under this sign you shall conquer!”

His wife of 42 years, Dian, son Robert and wife Ofelia, grandsons Mario Alexander and Stephen Joseph, brother Leonard, and many nieces and nephews survive Joe.