John 'Jack' O'Donnell
Lieu de naissance : Portland, Maine, États-Unis
Lieu de décès : Antigonish, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 25 octobre 2018
John ‘Jack’ O’Donnell, age, 83, died peacefully on 25 October 2018, with loved ones at his side in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Born in Portland, Maine, he was a son of the late John Clark and Lillian Louise (Fowler) O'Donnell.
He leaves to mourn his wife, Judith, with whom he shared life for over 57 years; son, John (Nancy LaRose) of Cole Harbour, NS; son, Christopher (Carrie Redpath) of Prospect Bay, NS; daughter, Lynn (Wayne Johnson) of Malignant Cove, NS; seven beloved grandchildren (his “Seven Angels”), Bridget, Clara, Ella, Kathryn, Annie, Fiona and Jessica; sister, Pat (John Roberts) of South Portland, Maine; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard.
Jack was Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Music at his alma mater, St Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, where he worked for 40 years. Originally from Portland, Maine, he held Graduate Degrees in Music Education (Gonzaga University), and in Musicology (University of London, Kings College). He also served for 50 years as conductor and musical director of Cape Breton’s coal miners’ choir, The Men of the Deeps. In 1983, Jack was awarded the Order of Canada for his work with The Men of the Deeps, and for playing a key role with his wife, Judy, in helping to establish L’Arche in Antigonish. In 1993 he received the degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) Honoris Causa from Cape Breton University. His work with The Men of the Deeps was again recognized in 2013 when Cape Breton University’s Beaton Institute presented him with the inaugural Katharine McLennan Award; in 2015, when he was recognized by the East Coast Music Association with the Dr. Helen Creighton Lifetime Achievement Award; and in 2016 when he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) from St. Francis Xavier University.
Amongst family, friends, former students and colleagues, Jack will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother; as a highly gifted musician, composer, arranger, and director; as an excellent teacher, as an accomplished author, and as a dedicated member of the Antigonish community. He had a wonderful sense of humour, a humble spirit, a generous heart, and a love for “whatsoever things are true.” (Philippians 4:8) As a man of deep faith, he found inspiration in a broad range of spiritualities, but was particularly inspired by the inclusive spirituality of Celtic Christianity; he also shared his musical and other gifts generously over the years with numerous faith communities, including the communities at St. Ninian’s Parish in Antigonish, the Chapel at StFX Univiersity, the Sisters of St. Martha at Bethany, the Spiritual Life Institute of America at Nova Nada in Nova Scotia, and at Holy Hill in Ireland, and at L’Arche in Antigonish and around the world.
As per Jack’s request, a small private family funeral liturgy will be held with burial taking place at a later date. A public musical celebration of Jack’s life is also being planned and will take place at a time to be announced in the coming weeks.
Jack’s family wishes to recognize the wonderful and compassionate care that he received from the medical, spiritual care, and other professionals at the QEII in Halifax, and at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish; from the VON nurses who cared for him at home; and especially from the amazing team of Palliative Care nurses at St. Martha’s Hospital.
Memorial donations in memory of Jack may be made to the St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation, or to the Victorian Order of Nurses.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
