Roger OʻDonnell Obituary

Roger E. O'Donnell CHARLESTON - Entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, Roger Edmund O'Donnell, 96, widower of Catherine E. O'Donnell. He was born on July 17, 1915, in Pittsfield, MA, the seventh child of Patrick and Louise O'Donnell. He was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield and continued his studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Mr. O'Donnell served in World War II as a member the U.S. Army 88th Infantry Division, 351st Regiment and was part of the campaign that liberated Rome, Italy. There he was assigned to the Allied Control Commission. As the war progressed, he was among the first American troops to enter Vienna, Austria, where he also served as Chief Clerk for Education and Religion. For his wounds received in the Italy campaign, he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to Pittsfield and resumed employment with the General Electric Company where he had a career of 43 years. He held positions in the accounting departments of GE offices in Pittsfield; Rome, GA; Schenectady, NY; and Ladson, SC. Following his retirement in l980 in Charleston, Mr. O'Donnell spent the next 20 years as an English language tutor with the South Carolina Literary Society. An ardent golfer, he was a longtime member of the Country Club of Charleston. He was a parishioner of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and, in his later years, he attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71 years, Catherine E. O'Donnell. Surviving are their two daughters, Suzanne McLaughlin of Alexandria, VA and Cecily Purcell of Walnut Creek, CA, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, and Mr. O'Donnell's two sisters, Alice Sykes and Marjorie Hickey, both of Pittsfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at St. Joseph's Church in Charleston. The Rite of Committal will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1695 Wallenberg Blvd. Charleston, SC 29407 or to a charity of your choice His guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com. Arrangements by James A. McAlister Funerals & Cremation. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths