James P. O'Donnell, Sr.

Bucks County Courier Times March 2, 2007 12:00 AM

James P. O'Donnell, Sr., age 72, of Croydon, died Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at Lower Bucks Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Kensington, Jim was a 1952 graduate of Northeast Catholic High School. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Education from Temple University. For the next 30 years he taught at George Washington High School in Philadelphia until his retirement in 1993.

Jim was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish serving in many lay ministries, most recently as lector. He was a member of Pope Pius XII Council Knights of Columbus #4765, Croydon, rising through the steps to Grand Knight. He was also a fourth degree member of the St. John Neumann Assembly.

A Navy veteran of the Korean War, Jim was active in his local VFW and American Legion Organizations.

Beloved husband of Pat for 53 years, Jim was the loving father of six children: Patti Capelli and her husband Paul, James P., Jr. and his wife Michele, Theresa Hiderley and her husband Ed, Kathy Reilly and her husband John, Margie Griffiths and her husband Howard, Timothy and his wife Christine. Sixteen precious grandchildren survive: Kate, Candice, Kurt, Sara, Gabrielle, Christopher, Melissa, Jenna, Maura, Colleen, Shane, Bobby, Danny, Michael, Courtny and Joey.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown, Pa. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Croydon. Rite of Committal in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem. There are No Calling Hours Monday morning.

Memorial contributions in James' name may be made to the St. Thomas Aquinas Sanctuary Fund, 601 Bristol Pike, Croydon, Pa. 19021-5496.