Robert O'Donnell

Robert Charles O'Donnell
Air Force veteran, Operating Engineers member, family man
Robert Charles O'Donnell of Staten Island, NY, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 19, 2021, at the age of 90.
Bob was born on Staten Island to Charles O'Donnell and Hazel O'Donnell (nee Matthes). He settled down on the South Shore in 1956, where he and his bride, Ruth, raised eight children. Bob enjoyed skiing, hunting and stock car racing in his youth; tinkering, welding, and fixing just about anything; and listening to and playing Country music on his acoustic guitar and banjo. A cowboy at heart, he was an avid horseman, a long-time member of the Richmond County Sheriff's Mounted Posse and was an accomplished calf roper. On many an evening Bob could be found at the Englewood Stables in Charleston where he boarded his horses.
A sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, he served in Germany during the Korean War years, and was a member of the American Legion. Bob was also a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and worked as a heavy equipment operator for the City of New York for 29 years. A long retirement of 28 years was spent with his wife of 65 years, enjoying long walks, crossword puzzles, day trips, and spending time with family.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth O'Donnell (nee Porzio); children, Charles O'Donnell, Anne O'Donnell, Robert O'Donnell, Ruth Majewski, Charlotte Mitchell (John), William O'Donnell, Phyllis O'Donnell (Matt Richards), and Jennifer O'Donnell (Kevin Black); grandchildren, Christopher Mitchell, Maxwell Majewski, Tara Mitchell, Alexander Majewski; Jakob Richards, Jonah Richards, Ian Black and Lucas Black.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Robert O'Donnell to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.dementiasociety.org/donate; or the Assateague Island Alliance Foster Horse Program online at assateagueislandalliance.org.