Thomas J. O’Donnell of Huntingdon Valley, PA returned to the Lord on Sunday, July 19.

Beloved Husband of 41 years to Linda (nee Tolia) and dearest Father to Matthew and Andrew.

Born in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, a graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School (1963) and LaSalle College (1967). Tom served in the U.S. Army along the DMZ in Korea from 1967-1969 and retired from Conrail Corporation (Management) in 1999.

Throughout his retirement, Tom enjoyed several extended backpacking tours to Europe and a series of such excursions back home in the States. His travels brought him to Ireland and Scotland multiple times, the latter a highlight of his golf career, one round of play at St. Andrew’s Old Course. He traversed most of New Zealand and also spent time in Northern Ireland and Gimmelwald, Switzerland.

Notable stateside treks include Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula and Arizona’s Havasupai Indian Reservation. Above all, Tom enjoyed visiting his boys in their respective, adopted hometowns of Denver/Boulder, CO and New York City.

When he was neither traveling nor golfing (or at the driving range) Tom devoted the rest of his time to various home improvements and the meticulous care and daily maintenance of his lawn, in which he took tremendous pride. All of this, while doting on his loving wife Linda, his rock, who never left his side.

Those who knew him best would recall Tom as a humble man who cherished his family, lived life honorably and one who simply did things the right way, by the book. He was a kind and gentle man, who loved nature and all of her creatures (sans carpenter ants) and was well read in history, specifically literature involving the Civil War, WWI and WWII.

Brother to Catherine Payne, married to Eugene and Patricia McCormick, married to Lawrence, deceased. Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are invited to call on Thursday, July 23, between 10-11am at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA, 18966.

There will be a brief eulogy at 10:45am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am.

Interment at St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Catholic Social Services online via www.cssphiladelphia.org or by mail to 222 North 17th Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, 215-587-3614.