Obituary of Robert J. O'Donnell

Robert J. O’Donnell passed away on September 21, 2017. He was 81 years old.  A resident of Perkiomen Township for many years, Robert was born in Bridgeport, PA on July 15, 1936, the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth O’Donnell. 

Robert graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1954 and served in the US Army from 1957 to 1959 with the 4th Ordinance in Europe as an electronic specialist. He was an honor graduate of the NCO Academy while serving in Fort Bliss, Texas.                                                         

After 40 years of service, in 1994 he retired from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 380 in Collegeville, where he served as an apprentice school instructor and member of the Joint Apprentice Training Committee.                                                                                

His associations included being a life member of Bridgeport Fire Company No 1, life member of Knights of Columbus Council 3633, Schwenksville (4th degree member, Chester County Assembly), and member of the first Parish Council at St Eleanor Church where he worshipped. Robert served for over 30 years on the Perkiomen Township Zoning Hearing Board, retiring as chairman. He was also active in the Lower Perk Longhorns Midget Football League and the Lower Perk Softball/Baseball League

Robert was predeceased by his wife Alma Jean (nee DeWan) his childhood sweetheart. He was the proud father of four children: Meghan (Clifford) Patton of Glenside, Elizabeth (James) Bickel of Perkiomen Township, Timothy (Ana) of Perkiomen Township, and Kathryn (John) Graham of Royersford. He was also the loving grandfather of ten grandchildren: Kelsey, Timothy, Addison and Meghan O’Donnell, Gage and Ramsey Bickel, Caroline and Elizabeth Patton, and Lila and John Graham. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas L O’Donnell (Ellen) of East Norriton and survived by his sister Ann Leedom of Limerick.

Robert’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 10:30AM at St. Eleanor Catholic Church, 647 Locust St., Collegeville, PA 19426.  Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Church. 

Interment will follow in St. Augustine Cemetery, King of Prussia. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Catholic High School, 4501 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139 or the Christian Brother’s Retirement Fund, 444A Route 35 South, Eatontown, NJ 07724