Stephen O’Donnell, Philly sports fan
Stephen O’Donnell, brother, husband, father, pop-pop, friend and co-worker, unexpectedly passed away after a hard-fought battle with COVID-19/pneumonia Thursday, July 6, 2023. “Steve,” as he was known by everybody, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 6, 1965, son of Hugh Patrick and Anna Mae O’Donnell, with whom he is now reunited.
Steve grew up in Glenolden, Pa., and was a Delco boy through and through. A huge Philly sports fan, he loved watching and attending the games with his family and friends, and this past year fulfilled a dream to see his Eagles at the Super Bowl in Arizona.
Stephen, as he was called only by his wife, would have celebrated 39 years of marriage this September. He and Jeanine met in high school while working at Roy Rogers, where he boldly asked her to the prom. They created a beautiful life together, which began in Millsboro at 19. Steve went to school for accounting and graduated with a master’s degree from Wilmington University. A successful career in manufacturing accounting took him to Scott Paper and Playtex. He then landed his Irish man’s dream job at Dogfish Head and finally, Mispillion River Brewing and Brick Works Brewing and Eats. Steve and Jeanine loved to travel and were of the mindset that good health and life were never promised. They did as much as they could together and with their family and friends whenever they were able. A lover of quite an eclectic mix of music from Aerosmith, Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac, and Irish music to Andrea Bocelli and his favorite Broadway musical, “Phantom of the Opera,” Steve never passed up a good concert. He even picked different places to see them, rather than just going back to Philly. U2 in Toronto was one of his favorites!
Steve adored his daughters, Michele and Ashley. He was an incredible Dad to his girls; always being present and proud. He was, hands down, their favorite guy and they each had their own special bond with him. Steve felt very fortunate to have Hayes Glanden join the family when he married Michele in 2014. Then he was blessed to meet his granddaughter Ellie in 2016, who brought him such joy. They were Big Pickle and Little Pickle, and had the best time together playing, making videos, telling jokes and snuggling.
Everyone will miss Steve’s amazing sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and love. In addition to Jeanine, Michele, Ashley, Hayes, and Ellie, his siblings, Mike O’Donnell, Nancy Janssen, Marie O’Neill (Tom), Kathy Lougheed (Earl) and Brian O’Donnell (Chris McGaha) are sharing in this great loss. Steve was also a huge part of all the lives of his nieces and nephews, in-laws, and so many friends who loved him so dearly. He was truly one of a kind.
Steve’s beautiful and wonderful life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at noon, Thursday, July 27, at St. Edmond Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in his memory to Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, beebehealthcare.org/donate, to honor the unbelievable team of doctors and nurses who not only helped him through his battle at Tunnell Cancer Center last year but also the first few weeks of his illness in the ICU before he was moved to Philadelphia. We cannot thank them all enough for the loving and dignified care they showed to him, and the way they welcomed us every single day and night we were with him.
Visit Steve’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
