Edward Bennett O'Donnell

Edward passed peacefully in South Florida of natural causes surrounded by family.  He is survived by his spouse, Patricia O’Donnell, sons Stephen O’Donnell (Pauline) and Edward O’Donnell, daughters Eileen O'Donnell and Tracey O’Donnell Papiernik (Hank).  He was constantly boasting about his kids and his seven amazing grandchildren.

He was the only child of Stephen Joseph O’Donnell and Margery Isabel Bennett. A “clamdigger,” he was born in the family home on Carroll Street in City Island, N.Y. He attended P.S. 17 and Christopher Columbus High School before enlisting in the United States Navy. After his service, he studied at the City College of New York on the GI Bill.

He met his wife Pat in calculus class while he was pursuing an electrical engineering degree, but transitioned to the workforce and started a family. Ed had a 35 year career in telecommunications with the Bell System: New York Telephone, AT&T, and finally retiring from Lucent Technologies. A dedicated provider, overtime was rarely turned down, and he was proud to have worked on major installations in Yankee Stadium and the World Trade Center.

He was an avid swimmer (allegedly swimming around City Island), coached Little League, chaperoned Troop 211 Boy Scout trips, and chauffeured his kids countless miles. He was an active member of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church on City Island and later St. Thomas More Parish in Boynton Beach, Florida. He was the family chef; he worked the BBQ all four seasons and loved to cook for a crowd, whether it was Sunday brunch for visiting family or trays of sausage and peppers and rice pudding for potluck dinners. Many family vacations were spent in Canada to see his aunts and cousins. After retirement, “Pops” loved spending time with his grandchildren and was always ready for a trip to the playground or pool. At his Huntington Pointe condo in Delray Beach, he was building captain and Mr. Fix It for his neighbors.

His family is honoring his last requests of no wake. A small funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More in Boynton Beach, FL at 11 a.m. on May 18, 2026, followed by burial at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL. Ed asked that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to Americares.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Bennett O'Donnell, please visit our floral store.