Terrence Patrick O'Donnell

Terrence Patrick O'Donnell was born March 26, 1951 in West Deal, NJ, the son of Thomas Domenic and Margaret Mary (Dietz) O'Donnell. He graduated from Ocean Township High School and pursued an engineering degree at Brookdale Community College and the Newark School of Engineering. He moved to Charlottesville, VA in the late seventies, continuing to work in construction and built his home, finding the land while cycling through the Blue Ridge Mountains. After building homes for Shelter and Associates, he partnered with the late Stewart Pape to form Pape-O'Donnell and then with the late Chris Camp to start Camp-O'Donnell construction. A Class A general contractor, Terry established his own firm for several years before retirement. He worked hard at his craft, enjoyed tackling tough projects, and teaching others. Terrence was also an accomplished athlete. In his youth he excelled in Judo, earning a tournament black belt in his teens. He was a junior Olympian and won the East Coast National Championship, among other accomplishments. Later he became an avid whitewater paddler and skillfully paddled privately Class IV-V rivers. He was a lifetime member of the American Whitewater Association and the Friends of Ohio Pyle. Mr. O'Donnell is survived by his wife of 26 years, Susan Eckerly. Other survivors include his Aunt, Florence Boyle, his brothers Thomas (wife Maureen) and Timothy (wife Theresa), and his sister Teresa. He also will be missed by his sister-in-law, Anne Lazarz (husband Lawrence Lazarz) and two brother-in-laws, Edward Eckerly (wife Vivian) and John Eckerly (wife Dawn). A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Charlottesville, VA. Memories and condolences may be left here for the family.