Obituary - Tom A. O'Donnell

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
THE JUNEAU EMPIRE

Former Juneau resident Tom Anthony O'Donnell died March 8, 2007. He was 80.

He was born Jan. 15, 1927, to Thomas and Celia O'Donnell, of Des Plaines, Ill. He served in the U.S. Navy in both World War II and the Korean War.

He was a graduate of Arizona State University, the class of 1953, in Tempe, Ariz. His career in the field of personnel led from Maricopa County, Ariz., to Santa Clara County, Calif., to Juneau, where he was employed by the State of Alaska.

Family members said he had fond memories of the 20 years he spent in Alaska. They said he was a great sports enthusiast, jazz aficionado and was greatly admired by family and friends for his jovial Irish wit.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Mary Jane Mountain and Catherine Schwass.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Alice (Green) O'Donnell, of St. Helena, Ca.; daughters, Beth O'Donnell and her husband, Allen Graves, of Cliff, N.M., and Shannon (O'Donnell) Difilippo of Napa, Calif.; son, Tim O'Donnell, of Juneau; stepson, Craig Munk and his wife, Karen, of Kendallville, Ind.; "Neat-o" granddaughters, Britta Elle Difilippo, McKenna Difilippo and Aren (Munk) Howell; grandson, Wyatt Graves; two sisters, Patricia Walsh and Dorothy O'Donnell, of Des Plaines; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial will be held in New Mexico later this year. A memorial will be held at the Catholic church in Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers he suggested donations be sent to The New Mexico Chapter for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, 3411 Candaleria NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87107.

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