Dennis Arthur O’Donnell was born on June 1, 1956 in Fayetteville, New York to MaryEllen and Jack O’Donnell. Dennis passed away sadly, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 in Laurel.
Dennis’ professional career was spent in the food industry, working as a meat cutter for Tops, Fresh Fields, and Whole Foods Market. When he relocated to Delaware Eastern Shore, he began working for Mountaire Farms, where he retired after 15 years on the sales team.
Dennis was a big-hearted person who was devoted to his family, being a supportive husband, son, brother, uncle, and pop-pop.
Growing up in New York, Dennis loved all sports, however, football is where he excelled, earning a scholarship to Syracuse University while receiving a BS in Business. He loved listening to music and watching TV classic shows/movies from the 40’s to the 70’s.
Dennis traveled to many places for work and pleasure, rode motorcycles, and could talk about sports for hours. His home during the holidays was filled with decorations, displaying his treasured collection of Steinbach’s Nutcrackers and Jim Shore collectibles. This was his favorite time of year. As we are extremely saddened by his sudden passing, may our hearts be filled with memories of how much he loved his family, his uncanny ability to jump in to help anyone, to see the good in people, and to think of others first.
In addition to his father, Jack O’Donnell, Dennis was preceded in death by his adopted son, Tristin Townsend.
Dennis leaves to mourn his loss, wife, Collien O’Donnell (Laurel); mother, MaryEllen O’Donnell (Seaford); siblings, John O’Donnell and his wife Cathy O’Donnell (Seaford), Greg O’Donnell and his wife, Cathy Reynolds (Jamesville, NY), Judy Calogero and her husband, Cal Calogero (Boiling Springs, PA); stepdaughter, Stephanie Hearn and her husband Brian Hearn (Laurel); grandchildren, Brayden and Kassidy Hearn (Laurel); and nieces, Krya Calogero (Boiling Springs, PA), Megan Calogero (Nashville, TN), and Elise O’Donnell (Kirkville, NY).
There will be a memorial service to celebrate Dennis’s life on Thursday, Nov. 2 at Bennie Smith Funeral Home, 437 N. Front St., Seaford, Delaware 19973 at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Kidney Fund 11921, Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.
To offer words of comfort or sign the guest book visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional services are entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Seaford.