James Walter O'Dea

James Walter “Jim” O’Dea, a lifetime resident of East Hartford, passed away in his sleep on February 27, 2023. He was born in Meriden in March of 1935 to James F. and Helen (Chyinski) O’Dea. Moving with his family to East Hartford as a small boy, he graduated in 1953 from East Hartford High School and entered the Navy in September of that year. He spent four years as an electrician’s mate on the destroyer USS Charles H. Roan (DD-853). He was a tool and die maker for most of his career and was a lifelong member of St. Rose and St. Mary’s churches, now known as the North American Martyrs Parish. He was an avid fisherman and square dancer. He leaves behind three children (Daniel and his wife Betty, David and his wife Annamaria (Docker), and Mary-ellen Deleon) and three adult grandchildren (Mary Rose and Sean O’Dea and Juliana Deleon). Calling hours are at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home in East Hartford Sunday, March 5th from 2-4 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Rose Church in East Hartford on Monday, March 6th at 11 AM, after which he will be interred with his parents at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Meriden, CT. Calling hours for James will be held Sunday, March 5, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Monday, March 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Saint Rose Church, 33 Church St, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108 (Please go directly to Church). A Committal Service will occur Monday, March 6, 2023 at 12:30 PM at Sacred Heart Cemetery, 250 Gypsy Ln, Meriden, CT 06450. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NewkirkandWhitney.com for the O'Dea family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North American Martyrs Parish in East Hartford, CT.