Avis de décès de Joseph-Hoey O-Donnell

Joseph Hoey O'Donnell, 80 CHARLESTOWN, N.H. -- Joseph Hoey O'Donnell was born on April 4, 1932 in Houlton Maine to G. Christopher and Florence O'Donnell. He was the oldest son to a family that would grow to 15 children. He moved to Foxboro Mass. in 1946 attending Foxboro High School forging friendships that remain strong to this day. There he met Helene Barry and they married in 1955, eventually having seven children together. His father, Chris, was a respected stable owner of O'Donnell's Farm and from there grew Joe's passion for horses. Joe became one of the youngest harness racers in the sport and showed great talent winning over 100 races in his short career. He was so popular that when drafted during the Korean War, the Boston Herald American wrote an article on the loss to harness racing. Upon his return from the service he began his career at O'Donnell's Express, 'The Pioneer Line'. A trucking company founded by his father in Houlton, which grew to 12 terminals servicing the Maritimes and New England. He was the youngest president of the Maine Truck Owners Association, serving 3 successful terms. He worked closely with business and government leaders on transportation issues local, national and international. In 1973, in the wake of deregulation of the transportation industry, the decision was made to sell the family business. He then went on to have more successes with his warehouse/distribution companies, actually, being the first distributor of Reebok Sneakers. Upon his retirement from the transportation field, he settled in Old Orchard Beach and worked Joseph Hoey O'Donnell as a realtor agent for Sand Castle Realty. He became more involved in A.A. which he joined in 1974. He was instrumental in expanding the Big Book Step Study Program in the Portland Maine area and was a mentor, friend and lifeline to many in the program. He felt strongly that A.A. had saved his life and wanted to give back. He moved to New Hampshire in 2004 and remained very active in A.A. until recent years as his health declined. In his final years, he found great comfort in the company of his family and they will miss him dearly. Former husband of the late Helene (Barry) O'Donnell; Loving father of Mary O'Donnell of Charlestown, N.H., Anne Marie Niethold and her husband Richard of Sharon, Mass., Kerry Binney and her husband Jonathan of Walpole, N.H. Barry O'Donnell and his wife Sherri of Windham, Erin Sheedy of Attleboro, Mass., Alice(O'Donnell) Dryden of North Attleboro Mass. and Christopher O'Donnell and his wife Michaela of Attleboro, Mass. ; Brother's of Lawrence, Patrick, Shawn and Michael O'Donnell, sister's Colleen Broughton, Bridget Bordeiri, Evelyn O'Donnell and Theresa Creedan; 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, June 12, from 4-8 p.m. at the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 30 South St., Foxborough. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 58 South St., Foxborough. To light a candle in his memory please visit the funeral home web site at www.robertsandsonsfuneral.com.