Obituary of Paul E. O'Donnell

Paul O'Donnell, 93, of Willet passed away Friday May 27, 2022, surrounded by family, at Binghamton General Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife and love of his life of 52 years (67 posthumously) Margaret, a daughter, Patricia, parents Emmet and Patricia O'Donnell, brother and sister in law, Edward (Ed) and Dorothea (Dor) O'Donnell, a brother Leo Patrick, and sister in law, Lonnell O'Donnell. He is survived by his legacy of family, six children, John and Karen O'Donnell, New Milford, CT, Dr. Mary O'Donnell, Ithaca, NY, Anne and Gerard Davis, Newton, NH, Kate and Tommy Hager, Binghamton, NY, Michael and Becca O'Donnell, Dallas, TX, Meg and Todd Birtch, Chenango Bridge, NY; eight grandchildren, Sara (Justin) Schuff, Sean O'Donnell, Matthew and Chelsea O'Donnell, B.J. Davis, Maura and Erin Hager and Brigid Birtch; three great grandchildren, Aubree, Mia and Landon Schuff; his beloved brother Robert O'Donnell, Truxton, NY, and brother in law and sister in law John and Kathleen Fordham, Hammondsport, NY. Also many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and godchildren, whom he loved dearly. Paul was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Whitney Point. He was a graduate of Truxton High School, where he was valedictorian, he went on to his career as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corp during the Korean War, a Marine until the end. After being discharged from the Marines, he continued his education graduating with a degree in education from SUNY Cortland in 1951, he went on to obtain his masters degree in counseling from Colgate University. He then ventured into his career in education and counseling which spanned over 30 years. He started as a social studies teacher in the Whitney Point Central School District and finished as a guidance counselor for the Chenango Forks Central School District. He was inducted into the Chenango Forks hall of fame in recognition of his long, distinguished career helping so many students navigate their lives after high school. After "retirement" from the Forks, Paul started a second career with BOCES retiring at the young age of 70. He then volunteered at the Cortland-Chenango Rural Services in Cincinnatus until well into his 80s. Paul can be summed up in three words, faith, family and friends. He was a friend to all. He was a proud member of the AOH where he carried one of the flags in the St. Patrick's Day parade for decades. He was so proud of his Irish heritage and this was reflected throughout his life. He loved reading, music and history, Irish, American and world history. He enjoyed his Irish cruises with Joanie Madden. He loved his lakes. The family vacationed every summer at Hatch, Bradley Brook, Oneida, and DeRuyter Lakes. This culminated into a permanent lake vacation when he and Margaret bought their retirement house on Cincinnatus Lake. He loved helping his "ladies", Mary Reardon, Nancy Walsh and Mary Rice. He was always available to help anyone in need; there was always room at the table for one more. Paul loved a good manhattan and loved to have friends and family around to share one with. Paul had a life well lived and was blessed with good health up until the end. The family would like to thank friend and neighbor, Norm Niggli for his friendship and support. We would also like to thank the staff of Binghamton General's Memorial 3. Thank you seems so insufficient for the kindness, compassion and exceptional care that you gave to our dad, we are forever grateful to you. A Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, June 4, at St. Patrick's Church, Keibel Rd Whitney Point at 10:00 AM. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Whitney Point. The family will receive friends Saturday from 8:30-10:00 am before the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Paul's memory to the Cortland-Chenango Rural Services 2704 Lower Cincinnatus Road, Cincinnatus, NY 13040.