James A. “Jimmy” O’Donnell

James Arthur “Jimmy” O’Donnell of Braintree, passed away surrounded by his loving family October 29, 2022. He was 63 years old.  

Jimmy was a family man and his entire world revolved around his wife, children, and family. He was a dedicated son and son-in-law and a devoted father, husband and friend. He was someone that everyone could rely on at all times. Jim was the “rock” of the family. 

Born in Boston he was a Braintree resident since the age of 1. Jim played baseball throughout his youth with Braintree National Little League as a pitcher with his dad coaching some of his teams. Jim continued to be involved with the sport that he loved later on in years, assistant coaching his own son, Mike (also a pitcher) for Braintree American Little League. Debbie and Jimmy first met while working a part time job as teenagers at the Braintree Manor nursing home. Their first date was on Thanksgiving Eve, 1975. From that day on they spent everyday together, for which Debbie or (Deb) as Jim calls her would be forever grateful!  They were married in 1979 and were blessed with 2 children. He was a “Dance Dad” and enjoyed  attending Heidi’s piano and dance recital’s, often helping out behind the scenes at his wife Debbie’s dance school recitals, and later attending Braintree Dance Team competitions proudly watching his daughter Heidi compete.  Jim continued attending all of his son’s baseball games as Mike pitched for Braintree High School and then Curry College.  Jim was such a proud dad of  Heidi and Michael, always there to love  and encourage them as life took them on their path. He also enjoyed spending time with his four grandchildren, attending their events or just letting them sit in his pick up truck, which they loved to do. Jimmy also enjoyed watching Patriots games with his family and watching NASCAR races.  He worked for Building #19 as truck driver for many years before starting his own successful business, The Office Guy’s Inc. He was also the former co-owner of Aviance Limousine Co. Some of his favorite times were spent vacationing with their family to Lake George, the White Mountains NH. and especially the beaches of Myrtle Beach S.C., and Cape Cod.

He was the son of Arthur O’Donnell and Margaret “Peggy” O’Donnell of Braintree.

Beloved husband of Debra M. O’Donnell of Braintree. Loving father of Heidi  Burns and her husband Keith and Michael O’Donnell and his wife Traci all of Braintree. He was the brother of Dan O’Donnell and his wife Cheryl of FL, and Tom  O’Donnell and his wife Lisa of Wilmington. Brother-in-law of Susan Rose and her late husband Jimmy of Braintree, Michael Walsh and and his wife Anne of GA, Jim  Walsh and his wife Mary of S. Weymouth, and Diana Nessralla and her husband Dan of S. Weymouth Cherished “Grampa” to Abby , Callie , Cameron , and Holly . Jimmy is  also survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. He was the best friend of the late Terry Palmer.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street(Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:15 AM on Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree at 10 AM. Burial in Braintree Cemetery, Braintree.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of James may be made to Tunnel 2 Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.