KEVIN O'DONNELL

O'DONNELL K E V I N O'DONNELL, father, husband, friend, civic leader, businessman and former Peace Corps Director, passed away at age 86 on Feb. 29 after a brief illness. Born on Cleveland's West Side to Ella (nee Kilbane) and Charles R. O'Donnell, he grew up in a multigenerational extended family environment. His parents stressed the importance of education. He attended West High School, Kenyon College '47 and the Harvard Business School '47. Kevin served as a Lt. (j.g) in the Navy Supply Corps 1943-46. Kevin began his business career with the Steel Improvement & Forge Company (SIFCO) in Cleveland, OH. He worked there for 13 years before joining Booz Allen & Hamilton and then Atlas Alloys. Kevin married Margaret Ann 'Peg' O'Donnell in 1949. In March 1965, he accepted with courage and resiliency her untimely death following the birth of their 6th child. He married Marion Ellen Blydenburgh Patterson, a mother of 2 and widow of an old friend, in August 1965. His and Ellen's cross-adoption of each other's children set the tone for a united family of 10. It was during the next year that Kevin sensed his growing desire to work in a mission-based environment. After reading an article about another Clevelander serving in the newly formed Peace Corps, he was inspired to learn more. He was quickly recruited to become the first country director for the U.S. Peace Corps in Korea. With 8 children ranging in age from 1 to 15 and 56 pieces of luggage, the family set off for what would turn out to be four life changing years in Seoul, Korea. Establishing the Peace Corps in Korea held all the excitement and hard team work of a start-up. In 1970, the President of the Republic of Korea awarded him the Order of Civil Merit. 40 years later the Korea Society in New York recognized the tremendous role and impact of Peace Corps during its 15 year commitment in Korea. In the words of Don Hess, the country director that followed Kevin, "He left an indelible imprint on the lives of staff and the shape of programs there." When Kevin finished in Korea he chose stay with Peace Corps in Washington, D.C. He was named Head of Peace Corps in 1971. After a total of 6 years in PC, he returned to Cleveland, the business world, and rejoined SIFCO Industries. He helped to reposition SIFCO from forging to specialty services. He helped expand SIFCO into Brazil, China and Ireland. He retired in 1994 after serving as President, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee. From 1994 to 2010 he was the Managing Director of O'Donnell & Associates. He served as a director on numerous corporate boards including Ferro Corporation, RPM, Union Commerce Bank, Medical Mutual, Lesco, Lamson and Sessions, The Plaza Group in Houston, TX. His passion for serving was demonstrated by his leadership with numerous community and non-profit boards, as Chairman of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, trustee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Musical Arts Association, the HBS School Club of NEO, President of the First Friday Club of Cleveland, Chairman and Trustee of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Terre Haute, IN., Chairman of the Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services Board of Cuyahoga County, president of Guest House. He was a member of the Cleveland Committee on Foreign Relations, the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs, The Mayo Society of Cleveland, The Union Club, the Army Navy Club in Washington, D.C. and Westwood Country Club. He was a member of the Knights of Malta, and served on the Cleveland Catholic Diocese Financial Council and was active in his parish of St. Malachi. He was a friend of Bill W. for 47 years. Kevin is survived by 7 of his 8 children and their spouses, 17 grand-children and 1 great-grandchild: Kevin Jr. and Kim of Campbell CA., Susan and Ross Dicken (Jennifer Hughes, Megan Hughes, Megan Rae Dicken, Ross Dicken) of Nederland, CO., Michael and Leslie (Lyndsay Nye Culver and Allison) of Bratenahl, OH., John and Masumi of Sherman, CT., Maura and Neil McCarthy (Charles, Fiona, Ian, Claire) of Mentor, OH., Megan and Patrick Patton (Liam, Kevin, Dierdre) of Fairview Park, OH., and Hugh (Connor, Margaret) of Bay Village, OH., and the children of his son, Neil, Heather and Ryan. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Peg; his second wife, Ellen in 2007; his brother, Charles 'Bud' O'Donnell in 2009; and his son, Neil in 2010. Kevin lived the last 48 years of his life with the Serenity Prayer as his guiding principle. He strived to live a life that was purposeful, meaningful and of service to others. CALLING HOURS WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 5-8 P.M., FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1-3 AND 5-8 P.M. AT THE McGORRAY-HANNA FUNERAL HOME, 14133 DETROIT AVE., LAKEWOOD, OH. The funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at St. Malachi's Church, 2459 Washington Ave. (West 25th and Detroit), Cleveland, OH. (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). The family encourages friends to make contributions in Kevin's memory to the EnnisCourt Chapel Fund, 13323 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 or St. Malachi Catholic Church, 2459 Washington Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113 or a charity of your choice.