John Baldwin O'Donnell

O'DONNELL, John Baldwin - At rest October 6, 2005, after battling myelodysplastic syndrome and cancer. John, a second generation San Franciscan, was born March 11, 1918, at St. Francis Hospital. He was the first of three sons born to Joan Baldwin O'Donnell and John O'Donnell. John was a member of the first graduating class of Notre Dame des Victoires Grammar School; graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1934, attended University of San Francisco from 1934-1936, and graduated with a BA from Stanford University in 1938. He received his LLB from Stanford Law School in 1941 and then began practicing law with the firm of Littler & Coakley. In October 1942, John enlisted in the U.S. Army, and he served in Europe with the Counter-Intelligence Corps attached to the 330th Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. He was in the invasion of Normandy, and served in Brittany, Luxembourg, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge), and across Germany toward Berlin. He received a field commission in 1944 and was part of U.S. Occupation Forces in Bavaria until November 1945. In January 1946, John returned to private law practice in San Francisco and he married in 1949. He practiced law until 1973, when he was appointed a San Francisco Superior Court commissioner. During his years with the Superior Court, he served as probate commissioner, hearing officer at the Youth Guidance Center, psychiatric hearing officer for the Court, and temporary judge. He retired in 1986. During his professional years, John was a member of San Francisco Bar Association and its Ethics and History Committees, the Board of Directors of Community Music Center, and the Board of Directors of San Francisco Beautiful. John was a 50-year member of the Olympic Club, and in recent years, he competed on its Seniors Swim Team. He was also a devoted 40-year member of the Family Club and an active member of its Literary Group. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jean Boysen O'Donnell; and by his daughters, Kathleen Buys (John) of Bermuda Dunes, CA; Susan Davenport (Tom) of San Francisco; and Michele Holbrook (Dennis) of East Aurora, NY. He is also survived by his brother Hugh O'Donnell (Anne) of Menlo Park, CA; predeceased by younger brother Mark (Jeanne) of New Jersey. He will be missed by his nine grandchildren: Eric Giles, Tara Giles Lombardelli, Alisa Giles, Amy Giles Hays, Emily Davenport, Ryan Holbrook, Jessica Holbrook, Ashley Holbrook, Erin Holbrook; and his great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and his many friends. A private Burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at St. Dominic's Church, Steiner St, btwn Bush and Pine, on Friday, October 14, at 10:00 am. Memorial gifts in his name may be sent to Hospital de la Familia Foundation, PO Box 12981, Berkeley, CA 94712-3981, or to a charity of choice.