PAUL O'DAY

O'DAY PAUL THOMAS O'DAY Paul passed away peacefully on June 1, 2017 at home with his family by his side. He was born May 2, 1935 in Chicopee, MA to James and Jeanette O'Day. He earned a Bachelors in Chemistry with honors from American International College, a Masters' in Public Admin from American University and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University where he received their Constitutional Law Award. He was a visiting fellow at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School and awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Administration from AIC. He was President of the Eisenhower World Institute from 1993 to 1999 and on the Shakespeare board from 1985 to 1990. His government service included his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Senior positions in the Office of the US Trade Representative. Up until his passing, he was President and Counsel of the American Fiber Manufacturers Association A job he truly loved, considered the height of his career, and poured himself into, even at 82. Friends called him "a Legend" in the industry. The AFMA Board established a scholarship in 2014 in honor of Paul, who served as their President for three decades. Paul was well-read, maintained a deep curiosity in life and all 19 of his kids and grandkids could expect a thoughtfully selected book every birthday and Christmas. Amazon Books loved him. He had a mulititude of "great friends", as he would say, near and far, whom he cherished and would do anything for. Paul loved traveling, especially with his favorite travel buddy, Nancy, his wife and love of his life for 55 years. His favorites were the annual Smith Mt Lake family vacation, Florence Italy, Istanbul, the Neuchatel, Switzerland gatherings and O'Dea Clan reunions in Ireland at Dysert O'Dea castle with a Guinness in hand. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing on the saltwater flats catching bonefish, permit and tarpon with his son. He loved the arts, especially Shakespeare and Jussi Bjorling. He is survived by his wife; four cherished children, Kathleen O'Day, Maureen Nardo, Michael O'Day (Trish) and Ellen Sundra (Derek); and 13 Grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14 at 11:30 a.m., at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, VA. For more info contact ODaysCelebrationOfLife@gmail.com">ODaysCelebrationOfLife@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul's name to AIC, (alumni office), 1000 State St. Springfield, MA 01109.A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14 at 11:30 a.m., at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, VA. For more info contact ODaysCelebrationOfLife@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul's name to AIC, (alumni office), 1000 State St. Springfield, MA 01109.