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Kevin J. O'Donnell Sr., formerly of Wilkes-Barre and most recently, Lewistown, passed away peacefully surrounded by his adoring family on Oct. 30, 2024, at the age of 65.
Kevin was the son of the late Dr. Thomas F. O'Donnell Jr. and the late Eileen Harkins O'Donnell.
Prior to his retirement in 2015, Kevin achieved the pinnacle of his profession in public education serving as superintendent of schools for the Cameron County School District and, later, the Connellsville Area School District. He previously served as the Director of the Mifflin/Juniata Career and Technology Center (now known as the Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology). Kevin honed his craft working shoulder to shoulder with his father, Dr. Thomas O'Donnell Jr., at the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technology Center prior to forging his own path to the director's seat. Kevin was a proud graduate of King's College and earned his Master's Degree from the Pennsylvania State University. In addition to his primary career in education, Kevin was an entrepreneur having introduced the Northeastern Pennsylvania community to video technology in golf education through his backyard business "The Golfstudio" and driving range at "The Northeast Golf Training Facility." Kevin believed golf served as a great microcosm of life and shared his passion for the game through instruction, and later, as host of the "Northeast Golf" television show. Northeast Golf ran weekly on the FOX network for six years. Through their unique segments offering instruction to aspiring teenage golfers, Kevin and his daughter, Nicole, together earned the distinction of Telly Award recipients.
Family first and above all else. Kevin was fiercely loyal and devoted to those within his inner circle. He is survived by his best friend and the love of his life, Denise O'Donnell; their pride and joy, their three children: Attorney Michael (Jill), Nicole (Ryan), and Dr. Kevin, Jr. (Stephanie); seven grandchildren: Jacee, Layla, Caden, Kevin III, Isabella, Mikey Jr., and Langley. He admired and deeply respected his three brothers, Dr. Thomas F. O'Donnell III, Attorney Neil T. O'Donnell (Catherine), and Dr. Brian D. O'Donnell (Marcy), and their children, his nephews, Neil, Brian Jr., and his niece, Renata. Kevin leaves behind countless friends, colleagues, and knuckleheads left to cherish his memory. If you close your eyes for a brief moment you can hear Kev cracking a one-liner or belting out Frank Sinatra or Neil Diamond on the mic.
Funeral services will be held Monday Nov. 4 2024 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Christ the King at King's College, Kevin's alma mater, 29 West North Street Wilkes-Barre.
Family and friends will gather Monday from 8:30 a.m. until the mass time at the chapel.
In lieu of flowers Kevin requested that donations be made to "The Bubbler Foundation", an academic charity supporting the children and students of the South Middleton School District, where his son, Kevin Jr., has followed in Dad's footsteps and currently serves as Superintendent of Schools. Bubbler Foundation, 4 Academy Street, Suite 100, Boiling Springs, PA 17007.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Daniel J Hughes Funeral & Cremation Service, Wilkes-Barre.