James was born in Brooklyn, NY, in October 1935 to Edward and Margaret O’Donnell, and was an avid fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He attended Bishop Loughlin High School. He received his Bachelor of Arts from City College of New York in 1957 and his Bachelor of Laws from Brooklyn Law School in 1960. He was admitted to the New York State Bar; United States Circuit Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; United States District Court, Southern District; and United States District Court, Eastern District. He proudly served in the United States Army at Fort Gordon in Georgia from 1961 to 1963 and regaled his family and friends with his stories of his service.
James met the love of his life and best friend, Mary O’Loughlin, at a Knight of Columbus dance. They married in 1968 and moved to Staten Island in 1972. A devout Roman Catholic, James was a long-time parishioner of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Westerleigh. James coached CYO basketball and umpired baseball for the Blessed Sacrament Titan League. James and Mary enjoyed ballroom dancing and were members of the Staten Island Ballroom Dancers. They delighted in the friendships they made there and had fun dancing with their friends on numerous cruises.
James was a partner at O’Donnell & McLaughlin and practiced law until his death. His daughter, Rosemary, joined his firm in 1998. He loved being a trial attorney and was described as a “true gentleman” by his colleagues.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mary and his daughter, Rosemary, he is survived by his son, Edward, daughter-in-law, Michelle, and granddaughter, Erin; and son, James, daughter-in-law, Marirose, and grandsons, Patrick and James.
Family and friends will be received at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Avenue, Staten Island, NY on Monday, April 5th, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, April 6th, at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 366 Watchogue Road, Staten Island, NY at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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