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Obituary of James J. O'Donnell
James J. O'Donnell
Searsport - James J. O'Donnell, 82 years, of Searsport, ME, passed away September 28, 2023, at Sussman House.
James (aka Simon) J. O'Donnell born July 17, 1941 joined his parents, James and Alice (Capen) and his brothers Richard, Michael, and Edward in death, leaving behind a sister Alice Mary (Curtis) and a brother Timothy both of Searsport, and many cousins, nephews and nieces, Miriam and the Marsolais family and a "California Circle of Friends who were with him when the porridge was hot and when the porridge was cold. In a token of his life, he asks to be remembered for:
EIGHT DESIRES I FOUND WELL WORTH THE PURSUIT
To become a very good listener
To sense yourself surrounded by wonderful gifts
To catch the rhythm of dawn, day, dusk, dark
To celebrate with awe the changes of grape into wine, wheat into bread
To wander on the earth to witness the splendid array of cultures
To rejoice in all that the earth brings forth, the many colors and textures
To know the joy of good friends and good conversation at table
To be at peace in the night and in the day to sing and dance
EIGHT RULES I DISCOVERED FOR THE GOOD LIFE
Treat others as you would want them to treat you
Judge not why they are needy but show the needy great compassion
Seek not to bring another down as if their fall holds a blessing for you
Hold not the wrongdoer in contempt and never retaliate when wronged
Trim your needs and your desires and then be content with a sufficiency
Weigh the effect of your words in your heart before speaking them aloud Welcome with great reverence the stranger, even the hostile
Be steady and consistent in pursuit of life's highest purposes.
With the hope that those left behind, find a way to carry out the above in a better way than I achieved and WITH GRATITUDE FOR EIGHT SPECIAL GROUPS
The Clergy of St Mary's Parish, Bangor, Maine -1941-1959
The Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary's School, Bangor, Maine-1946-1955
The Xaverian Brothers at John Bapst High School, Bangor, Maine-1955-1959
The Benedictine Professors at St. Anselm College-1959-1968
The Professors at the International Benedictine School in Rome-1968-1970
The Professors in Ethics at the Catholic University of America -1973-1975
The Staff of the Institute of St Anselm, England -1985-1986
For lovers of learning and mission from Metten, Pannonhalma, Zevenkerken
EIGHT COMPANIONS I WOULD LIKE TO HA VE IN HEAVEN
Abraham -for his practice of hospitality
Jeremiah-for his loyalty to God's Word
Jesus -for his love of the poor
Benedict -for establishing a communal way of life
Anselm -for faith seeking understanding
Thomas Aquinas -for reason seeking faith
Thomas Jefferson -for his contribution to our founding documents Abraham Lincoln -for saving our country
A memorial mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Thursday October 5, 2023 at 11 am.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com
