Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

DEAN MICHAEL O'DONNELL

About

Brandeis University

FUNERAL HOME

Norton, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home - Framingham

53 Beech St.

Framingham, Massachusetts

DEAN O'DONNELL Obituary

O'DONNELL, Dean Michael Age 57, died unexpectedly but peacefully in his home on March 7, 2022. Born in Easton, PA, he was the son of Cornelius and Lorraine O'Donnell of Easton, PA. Surviving are his wife Elizabeth Tustian of Framingham, MA; his sister Lori Kichline; nieces Janet and Jerica Kichline; and great-niece Jemma Kichline of PA. Dean received his BS in Physics at WPI, and his MFA in Dramatic Writing at Brandeis University. He was a published playwright and game writer. His short film, Legwork (2002), can be found on YouTube. Dean taught for 29 years at WPI and was one of the architects of the Interactive Media and Games Development program. He was an avid writer and gamer whose love of creative collaboration and play shone through all aspects of his life. A Celebration of His Life is planned for later this spring at WPI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dean's name to the ACLU, aclu.org Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Norton Funeral Home, FRAMINGHAM. For complete obituary, to leave a message of condolence or sign the online guest book, please visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com Norton Funeral Home Framingham, MA

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Mar. 12 to Mar. 13, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for DEAN O'DONNELL

20 Entries

Debbie Silvestri Langen

April 18, 2023

A year has gone by since Dean's passing and I only yesterday found out about it. I loved seeing the memorial on the WPI page and the huge impact he had on the world. I send my sympathy to Elizabeth and also to his sister, Lori, and her girls. We were neighbors growing up. I remember when he was busy with the Pocono Boys Choir, Boy Scouts, and let's not forget all those Star Trek models he had hanging in his room. We all knew then that Dean was very smart! I last saw Dean, after many years, when his mom passed away. What a nice gentleman he had grown into. Wonderful to hear he never lost his joy and wonder for life!

The Sangillo's

Planted Trees

May 3, 2022

Miss you, friend

JoAnne Powers

May 1, 2022

Elizabeth-
I was very saddened to hear about Dean's passing. I remember laughing with you both at the Vokes Christmas party and he was such an interesting and funny man. My sympathy is of course with you and your family and Dean's family too. I will be on the ZOOM call today. My care & love always.

Evan

April 19, 2022

Dean was one of my favorite professors while at WPI. Several of his lessons will forever be in my memory, particularly in Level Design, and how Disneyland is one of the greatest examples of real-world level-design. In December of 2018, I worked with Dean and several other undergrad students to build an escape room, which resulted in several of my happiest times in undergrad.
Dean always had his office door open to students. Either just to chat, or to offer some much needed advice or direction. Thank you for everything Dean.

Rhett

April 11, 2022

Dean was super smart and funny. And the best, fastest writer who got most of it correct on the first pass. Gonna hit a packie for you, man. Love to all his family and friends.

Dck and Jeanne Tustian

April 10, 2022

Dick and I were delighted and intrigued when our daughter Elizabeth began to talk about Dean, the new guy she had met on line. They shared a mutual interest in theatre and felt like they had been friends for years, right from the start. And when they married we could not have been happier.

We will miss Dean's good humor and great warmth, but we will also miss him as a cook. He was a great creative cook who loved to try new things. Part of their Christmas gift every year was to cook the turkey and stuffing for us. Holidays will not be the same. Bless you and hank you, Dean.

Dick and Jeanne Tustian

Peter Gianopulos

March 17, 2022

I was so saddened to hear the news of Dean's passing. Although we lost touch since our days at WPI, I have many fond memories of my kind, smart, and witty friend. I send my deepest condolences to his wife and family. May his memory be eternal and may all that new him be blessed by his memory always.

Rowena Sullivan

March 17, 2022

It was Dean who inspired me to get an IMGD minor. His passion, knowledge and encouragement opened up so many amazing opportunities for me, including TAing for multiple IMGD course and most importantly, working on the WPI Escape Room. It's because of him that I got to work on so many interesting projects and experience so many cool things while at WPI.

I will forever be grateful for everything he did for me. My deepest condolences to his loved ones.

Chris Drouin

March 16, 2022

Some of my best memories from my time at WPI came from TAing Dean's classes - his brilliant Interactive Storytelling classes always produced unexpected and hilarious results. He was a caring teacher who engaged deeply with his students, and a good friend and mentor to me. I miss him; my thoughts are with his family and everyone he inspired during his career.

Andrew Tremblay

March 16, 2022

Dean was above and beyond my favorite teacher. Not just because of his great ability to teach, but also because he was the most human. He would share stories with his classmates of his work in the video game industry, theater, and his other adventures in the world. And he would share these stories with humility & humor, showing us students –who were still only dreaming of these things – that such things were not only attainable in our lives, but inevitable. I hope he realized how much that inspired us all to have our own adventures & accomplishments. It deeply saddens me that he is no longer here.

School of Arts and Sciences

March 14, 2022

Sending our deepest condolences to Dean's family and loved ones. He will be greatly missed at WPI.

Patrick Brennan

March 14, 2022

Dean was my friend, my classmate, and my roommate in Waltham after we left WPI. I will miss his playful spirit and his infectious humor. The world is poorer today for his loss.

Elisabeth Beinke

March 14, 2022

Dean O'Donnell was my favorite teacher at WPI ('09). I really appreciated his advocacy for women/underrepresented folks interested in game dev careers (including myself) and the classes I took with him on game narrative and social issues in games. He made me think philosophically about game design/creation, something that I appreciate even to this day in my game design career. He was a caring professor and his passion/energy/joy shone through.
He made a massive impact on me and many other students who took his classes at WPI.

Hannah, David and Lori Goodsell

March 14, 2022

Our daughter and family would like to extend our deepest condolences to Mr. O’Donnell and his family.
May you feel the love of community lifting you up during this difficult time.

Dean’s friendship and mentorship meant the world to our daughter, class of 2022/IMGD.
Thank you for your love of sharing your knowledge, laughter, and not only encouraging Hannah to follow her dream of writing, but empowering her to do so.

With our deepest regards,
The Goodsell family.

Kris Wobbe

March 14, 2022

While I did not know Dean well, I did know about his long connection to the drama program at WPI, and his prolific contributions to the New Voices shows, in addition to his commitment to the IMGD program. What a multi-talented person, and how sad that we lost him so young.

Joe Romagnano

March 13, 2022

Dean's mere existence, his effusive and infectious joy, that light of his that spilled over into everything he did helped and taught me more than anything else he formally taught me; be it in the theater or in class, and that was no small amount, either. He is one of the key people who helped pull me out of what was a really rough and dark patch in my own life. He made sense in a world that is too often senseless. His memories will always be a blessing and cherished the rest of my days.

Joan Ashley

March 13, 2022

From your best friends from High School and beyond, Rest In Peace.

meghan Cryan

March 13, 2022

Dean was an amazing teacher and such a nice, funny guy. I always enjoyed taking his classes and working on plays with him.

Graham N Smith

March 13, 2022

Every memory I have of Dean from our time together in Junior High and High School pretty much consists of Dean making really clever puns (really good dad jokes) and laughter. I can tell from the comments posted by his students that he was a beloved teacher and had a big and positive impact on his students. The world is a better place because Dean was in it and I am saddened he is gone.

Showing 1 - 20 of 20 results