Obituary of Edward A. O'Donnell

Edward A. O'Donnell, age 87, beloved husband to Bridie (Conlan) O'Donnell was taken home surrounded by loving family on September 16, 2018. Ed was born on February 7, 1931 in Bruff, Co. Limerick, Ireland to Michael and Nellie O'Donnell. He married Bridie on June 1st, 1957. They were happily married for 61 beautiful years.

Ed left Ireland on St. Stephen's day, 1952 at the age of 21. He first stopped in England during the country's post-war rebuild. With no contact information, although he knew his brothers Mike and Jerry were in the country, a stroke of luck had them spot him getting off a bus in London when he first arrived. The three O'Donnells lived and worked together, and at times were spotted with Prince Philip as he snuck a pint away from the palace. Destined for America, Ed took a week long boat journey to Halifax with his brothers. They worked the fields for Heinz in Toronto before finally arriving in Connecticut. He met Bridie at the Gaelic American Club in 1954. Ed worked as a mechanic at CL&P/Northeast Utilities for 30 years, retiring with a golden handshake at the age of 55.

He spent much of his retirement in his workshop where he was known to build and fix everything under the sun. Nearly every day was spent with his grandchildren. His grandchildren were his world, and he was theirs. He also enjoyed his part time work in his daughter's office and his many trips back to Ireland.

In addition to his wife, Ed will be dearly missed by his daughter Dr. Maureen and husband Stephen Sharnick, his son Edward and wife Lisa O'Donnell, his seven grandchildren, Stephen, Connor, Bridget and Caitlin Sharnick and Ailish, Bridget, and Alana O'Donnell. Ed is also survived by his sisters, Marie Finn, Eileen Hudak, Theresa Schmidt, Joan Condon, and brother Sean O'Donnell.

In addition to his parents, Ed is predeceased by his infant daughter Bridget, sister Alice Higgins, and brothers Michael, Jerry, Patrick, and Kevin O'Donnell.

We will miss you, Big Eddie. May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Funeral services will take place on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. directly in St. Lawrence Church, 505 Shelton Ave, Shelton for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Thursday from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull.