Robert F. O’Donnell

Robert F. O’Donnell RYE — We have lost another of the Greatest Generation. Robert F. O’Donnell, 101, of Rye, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at Webster at Rye where he had been living since becoming ill. Born in Portland, Maine, on Nov. 18, 1919, he was the son of Philip and Mary (Casey) O’Donnell. He attended Portland High School, graduating in 1937. During World War II, he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in Naval Intelligence, serving in the Boston Naval District and overseas in England. He returned to service in the Navy during the Korean War and was stationed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Mr. O’Donnell retired from Amoco Oil Co, in 1981 after 40 years of service. He worked in Claremont, New Hampshire, for Cal Oakes and then as an Amoco auditor covering New England, upstate New York and New Jersey. Later in his career, he lived in Garden City, New York, and worked as an analyst for Amoco’s New York office. After retirement, he returned to New Hampshire and resided in Rye with his wife, Catherine H. (Romard) O’Donnell. For 38 years, he enjoyed spending afternoons and evenings on his back porch overlooking a serene one-acre property, which he mowed himself until age 95. At age 99, he moved to an assisted living apartment at Webster at Rye. Mr. O’Donnell was a communicant of St. Theresa Church, Rye Beach, New Hampshire. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years; his five brothers; and several nieces and nephews. He is survived by his four children and two sons-in-law: Maureen O’Donnell and husband James Lilley, of Upton, Massachusetts; Terry O’Donnell, of Spokane, Washington; Cathy (O’Donnell) Fomous and husband John Fomous, of Arlington, Virginia; and Margaret O’Donnell, of Keene, New Hampshire; as well as several nieces. All who knew him will miss his storytelling and smiling Irish eyes. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at the St. Theresa Church, 815 Central Road, Rye Beach. Burial will follow in Central Cemetery, Rye. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rannie Webster Foundation, 795 Washington Road, Rye, NH 03870 https://www.websteratrye.com/donate-volunteer/make-a-gift/. Please visit www.RemickGendron.com to view Mr. O’Donnell’s memorial website, to sign his tribute wall and for additional information.