Mr. Gordon R. "Oakie" O'Donnell

Mr. Gordon R. “Oakie” O’Donnell, age 79, passed away on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Masonic Care Community of NY. Born in Utica on February 7, 1936, Gordon was the son of the late Michael H., Sr. and Alice M. (Crandall) O’Donnell. Raised and educated locally, he was a graduate of Utica Free Academy/Class of 1954. He continued his education at M.V.C.C. and subsequently at Alfred University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. A proud veteran of the United States Army, Oakie served his country with honor from 1955 to 1957. On March 15, 2002 he married the former Josephine M. Falcone with whom he shared 13 years in a wonderful union. They enjoyed life together and were linked by their many common interests including dancing together and traveling to their second home in Florida. Some years ago, Oakie worked at the Montgomery Ward Store in the Sales Department. He later held a position at the Masonic Care Community where he served as a Security Guard for over 20 years. Friendly and outgoing, Oakie knew how to relate to people. He was a genuinely good man and a great friend who valued and cared about his relationships. He cherished being a grandfather and mastered that responsibility with love. He was fond of his civic and community affiliations of Whitestown A. of A. Veterans of World War II, Inc., Irish-American Cultural Club, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1010, the Elks Lodge 33, the Sons of Italy, and a fellow Mason belonging to Baron Steuben Lodge No. 0264. His recreational activities included swimming, golfing every day with his friends when snow birding in Florida, and enjoying his Friday and Saturday date nights dancing with his Josephine. He was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Gordon is survived by his wife, Josephine; his children, Tom O’Donnell of Baltimore MD, Karen and Matt VanderGoot of Arlington VA; his step-children, Marc and Kathy Marziale of Clayton NC, and David and Linda Marziale of Penrose NC; his grandchildren, Cora and Kyle; Ashley, Calyn, AJ, and Patrick; Rebecca, and Rachele; his great-grandchildren, Alex, Christopher, and Emerson; and his sisters and brother-in-law, Carol and Jack Zogby of Utica, and Jean Sadlik. His extended family includes many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Phyllis O’Donnell; his sister, Connie Crawford; brother-in-law, Anthony Sadlik; and his in-laws, Giovanni “John” and Phyllis Falcone, and Jeanette and Joseph Organisciak. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Oakie’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday morning at 9:30 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where his Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski. Military Honors will be conferred by the United States Army. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the American Stroke Association in Oakie’s memory, 120 Lomond Ct., Utica, NY 13502; envelopes will also be available at the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South St. corner of Hammond Ave.

Mr. Gordon R. "Oakie" O'Donnell

February 7, 1936 - June 23, 2015