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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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