Peter Edward O'Donnell Jr.
May 16, 1934 ~ August 18, 2021
Resided in:
Portland, ME
Portland- Peter O'Donnell Jr. passed away on August 18, 2021 at his home at 17 Morning Street in Portland. His family was with him when he passed.
Peter was born on May 16,1934 to Peter and Adelaide Riley O'Donnell. His first home was on Mountfort Street in Portland. He moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire when he was young and attended high school there. He later returned to marry his wife of 63 years Margaret "Tooie" O'Donnell. They had seven children that they raised on Munjoy Hill in Portland. He retired from the US Postal Service in 1989 and upon his retirement neighbors honored him with a block party in the West End of Portland where he delivered mail for many years. During his career he worked several jobs in addition to his full time job. He coached baseball at Cheverus High School in Portland from 1969-1973, and umpired many college and high school baseball games after his coaching ended.
One of his greatest pleasures in life was swimming in Casco Bay. He would often start his daily swims in April and swim until mid to late October. For several years he swam from Peaks Island to Portland. When this event was revived in 1982 he swam multiple times as an entrant. He remained physically active, walking up to 3 miles a day until his recent illness.
Peter is predeceased by his parents; and brother, David. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; and his children, David (Lori), Peter (Gregory Groves), Christopher, Peggy, Patrick, Brendan(Randi), and Daniel; grandchildren, Travis Godbout, Patrick and Aileen Russell, Thomas, Hayden, and Anthony O'Donnell.
His legacy to his children, and grandchildren is his humility, and generosity, love and loyalty to his family, and reverence for our common humanity.
His family would like to express their gratitude for the care provided to Peter by Nicki and Henrietta at Hospice of Southern Maine, by Dr. Matthew Dugan at the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute, and all of the members of the Cancer Center care team, and Dr. Timothy Botler and the Maine Medical Center nursing teams on R3 and R2.
Visiting hours celebrating Peter's life will be held on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from 8:30-9:30AM, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited in the chapel at 9:30AM, followed by a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view Peter's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
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Brendan and family, Please accept my sincere condolences on your Dad’s passing. He lives on in your hearts and memories. May his long life, well lived, be a comfort to you and your family. Sincerely, Peg Murphy-Mooers
– Peg Murphy-Mooers
MR O’Donnell was one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of Knowing. He spoke to me every time we meet on the street.He always asked how I or my family was doing. And he really wanted to know.He will be sorely missed. Rest In Peace. My Condolences go out to the whole family.Kevin Kilmartin
– Kevin Kilmartin
My sincere sympathy to the O’Donnell families .All my life on Munjoy Hill you could always count on Mr.Donnell to walk by with a nod, a smile and a kind word. I had the pleasure of seeing him at Calvary Cemetery while visiting my Dad. Mr O’Donnell walked by, “Hello Dave, your father was a good man” and we talked for a few minutes. Always kind words. Rest in Peace
– David J Duffy
Our deepest sympathy to the entire ODonnell family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. All our love, God Bless, Mark & Chris Coburn
– Mark & Christine Coburn
A really decent man. Mike McDonough Munjoy Hill
– Mike McDonough
David, Peter & the entire family, my sincere condolences on your loss. Mr. O’Donnell was a bright light at Cheverus (69-73) respected by students and faculty. I always enjoyed conversing with him the many times we crossed paths throughout Portland. Keep the happy memories close to your hearts. Russell Wogan
– Russell Wogan
With fond memories of a wonderful neighbor, coach and friend. Love, Joel, Mark, Kurt, Liz, Tim, Jim, Ginger, and Andrea Myhaver
– Tribute Store
Prayers for the entire ODonnell family God Bless Theresa and Ron, Joline, Billy, John and Nancy McDonough
– Tribute Store
Peter was our postman for many years and he was the fastest, most dedicated mail worker I have ever seen. Now I realize he was working to finish his route so he could get on to his other jobs to support his large family. A hard worker, but a friendly guy, we in the West End were so sorry when he “retired”. I was later delighted to learn that he was the father of my City Council colleague, Peter O’Donnell, his namesake. Interestingly, rather than bother her son, Tooie used to call me with her perspective on City issues… I send my deep sympathy to Tooie, Peter, and the entire O’Donnell family on the loss of this great guy.
– Anne Pringle, Portland
I am so very sorry to learn of your family’s loss. Please accept my sincere heartfelt condolences. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
– Cheryl Leeman
LuLu, David & Family, Sending our thoughts & prayers to you all. With Deepest Sympathy. All our Love, Carol and Rick Regan & Family
– Tribute Store
With heartfelt condolences,
– Tribute Store
Sending my deepest sympatathies to Pete’s family. Peter worked with my dad at the Post Office and they were both baseball umpires. I later got to work with him when I became a letter carrier. Peter also umpired several of my Babe Ruth Leage baseball games. I played for Portland High during part of his tenure as the Cheverus coach and respected him as coach as well. Peter was always a man of integrity. He was also a great letter carrier – probably the second best in Portland (2nd only to my father!). I do recall my dad also saying that Peter was a great letter carrier. His route in the Western Prom area was longer than most routes and had more volume than most routes, but that was the way Peter liked it! He had that route for many years and his patrons loved him too! I did run into him a few times after he retired – walking at Calvary cemetery or walking along the Eastern Prom. I always enjoyed talking with him. He was a great man and I will always remember him!
– Arnold Rosario, Jr
Coach will be fondly remembered by all his teams at Cheverus and any who had the luck to know him. A truly gentle man.
– Tony Payne
My sincere sympathy,Tooie and family, on the passing of Peter. You are in my prayers. Eternal Rest grant unto Peter
– Betty Cyr
Brendan So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. My thoughts are with you and your family. Jill Cariglia
– Jill Cariglia
Dear O’Donnell Family, So very sorry for your great loss of your Dad. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Sylvia, Denise & Kristen Harlow
– Sylvia Harlow
Our deepest sympathies to you all. Very fond memories of him on Morning St. Truly one of the finest men on Munjoy Hill!!
– The Whipple Family
Most heartfelt condolences Peggy and family. May he rest in heavenly peace. Maureen and Doug Porter
– Maureen and Doug Porter
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home – Portland Chapel
– A Memorial Tree was planted for Peter O’Donnell, Jr.
My most sincere sympathies to the family. Be assured of my thoughts and prayers.
– Rev. Claude R. Gendreau