O'Donnell, Lee 64 of Orlando passed away on April 30, 2015. Lee was born on April 22, 1951 in Miami, Florida to John and Marjorie (Reid) O'Donnell. Prior to living in Orlando, Lee had a long career with Southern Bell as a Cable Splicer in Miami, FL. Upon moving to Orlando in 1985, he and his wife Sue owned and operated O'Donnell's Lounge (Orlando, FL). He was an awesome dart player and enjoyed his championship years with Jack and Coke. His laugh impacted everyone he met, and will be missed the most. Lee is survived by; his love Susan O'Donnell; Brother John (Dolores) O'Donnell; together with Nieces and Nephews, Dion and Dawn Hoffman, Jack and Greg O'Donnell and additional family and friends that will miss him dearly. Family will receive friends from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Family Funeral Care on Thursday, May 7, 2015. A Memorial Service will take place at 6:00pm. After the Service, the family will gather at Orena Sports Bar on International Drive. Arrangements for Lee have been entrusted to the care of Family Funeral Care.

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Published by Orlando Sentinel on May 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee O'Donnell

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4 Entries

Rick Mikels

March 22, 2025

I knew Leo from North Miami High School and we used to hang out at Lee's grill, I believe was the name, run by Norman and Elaine, along with their 2 sons, Ricky and Bruce. They treated us like family, and they were like family to us. Leo did love his CB 350 which he customized to his liking. Don't ever interrupt him when he's playing pinball, a lesson some learned too late. Some of the crew I knew back then were Larry Atkins, a mellow guy, Tom Strome, AKA Lurch, Cuban Al, whose real nickname I won't write, Bay, and many others whose names escape me. Leo was definitely the leader of the pack. It's been too many years since I've seen any of these people, but the memories we made in a short time won't be forgotten. RIP Porpoise

Tom Strome

May 21, 2018

Lee was someone you dont forget. He packed a lot into that 64 years.

Thomas Strome

May 17, 2018

It was quite a shock to read of what we all know to be an inevitability for us all and here., specifically, Lee's passing. He was a close friend although we went in different directions about 1993 or so. 3000 miles apart.
We grew up in the same neighborhood for almost the first thirty years of our lives. Lee was the adventurous one. Larry Atkins, EJ Macchio, Steve Harney, "Hermann the German, all round out the fairly close-knit group of friends whose informal leader was "Judge Leo" a.k.a. "Porpoise".
At North Miami High, Lee was famous for holding "Porpoise Court" at a local snack bar where he would daily render a predetermined verdict of guilty for a fabricated crime of a student, had him transported by crowd across West Dixie Highway and deposited into the pond of a public fountain to the raucous laughter of the same crowd.
Lee's most prized possession was his Honda 350 motorcycle for many years. Chrome and custom metal flake.
Lee had an IMPRESSIVE family. His parents were the epitome of Pillars of the Community both taken by misfortune before their time. DeeDee his sister moved to (I believe) Houston to raise a family and Dear Tina (Lee's older Sister) was struck down by a malady while still fairly young.
Lee's older brother John., as upstanding a Lawyer as I've ever encountered, went on to become a prominent Ft. Lauderdale Attorney. It is for him and DeeDee we weep today.
Lee was a devout Catholic and long attended Saint James Church in North Miami Florida before moving to central Florida, though the family was originally from German Town, Pennsylvania.
Having lost touch as is want to happen these days, I didn't find out until May 17, 2018, through the internet.
Lee never lost his sense of Irish heritage and was true to the name O'Donnell. I'll miss him. To his immediate family from Sue onward, I salute you.

E J Macchio

May 3, 2015

I remember the first time i met Leo. his sister and my sister were hanging out. Dee Dee [ his sister] dropped off my sister at our house in a brown ford wagon they went inside our house and Leo was in the car. i was outside watching this kid with a ice cube tray with an model airplane engine attached to it. going up and down the puddles in front parkways of the houses.[ after a day of rain]. Leo saw that i was watching with great interests so he went up to the kid and they had some words after a bit Leo pulled out some money and came back to my yard with the model airplane/ ice cube type thingy and said OK i got it from him i paid 15 bucks just give me the 15 back and its yours .it took me all of that day and most the the next to try to come up with 15 dollars [i think i was 11 or 12 at the time] but i did get it. i went to his house and gave him the money and took it home with the biggest smile you could Imagine i when to the hobby store and got fuel came back. ran a hose in my front yard to flood my drive way i was just about to start it up when i looked and there was the kid that originally owned this thingy and he said is that the one i had from other day i said yes i just bought it for 15 dollars. he just looked at me and said really i sold for 5 bucks. and that was the start of a friendship that lasted over 45 years .and every time i would bring up that story he would just start that infectious laugh.. and i don't care who you are or how mad you were once you heard that laugh you couldn't help but laugh yourself.. after many years of hanging out he and a bunch of other friends decided to move to Orlando. and he would try to come down about once every two years but he would always call me and tell me to move up there. and yes there's a big gap of story's i left out but for good reason . one being you wouldn't believe most of them and second if i was to tell all that i remember this would have as many pages as the book War and Peace. I for one feel blessed for having this man introduce into my life he has always been the brother i never had. and as a best friend there was none better. and i know one day we will meet again .but as of rite now my heart breaks and the tears wont stop flowing , Bro i miss you and love you. R.I.P your friend / brother E. J.

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