Patrick Christopher O’Donnell

Patrick “Paddy” O'Donnell, age 23, passed away on August 23, 2025, in Carlsbad, California, after a courageous three-year battle with glioblastoma. Born on July 5, 2002, in Encinitas, California, Paddy lived a life marked by kindness, resilience, faith, and an unwavering spirit that inspired all who knew him.

A graduate of Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad in 2020, Paddy was a standout student-athlete whose passion for sports and learning left a lasting impression. He played lacrosse and served as an ice hockey goalie throughout his youth. In high school, he continued to excel in both lacrosse and hockey for Pacific Ridge and La Costa Canyon. His leadership and skill earned him Most Valuable Player on the Pacific Ridge School championship hockey team in 2020.

Paddy began his college journey at the University of Utah in the fall of 2020, where he pursued a major in Computer science and Game Design and became a member of Pi Kappa Alpha (PiKE) Fraternity. He continued his hockey career with the university team until his diagnosis of glioblastoma in August 2022. Despite this life-altering challenge, Paddy faced his illness with extraordinary courage and determination.

He underwent multiple major surgeries at Huntsman Cancer Center at the University of Utah and Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego between 2022 and 2024. These treatments enabled him to fight back against the relentless progression of his disease. His bravery and perseverance were recognized nationally when he received the HOPE Award from the End Brain Cancer Now Initiative in 2024.

In spring 2024 against all expectations, Paddy returned to the University of Utah and successfully completed courses toward his degree—an achievement that reflected not only his intellectual curiosity but also his indomitable will to live fully despite adversity.

Paddy was known for his loving nature, intense loyalty, sharp wit, and magnetic presence among friends and teammates alike. A locker room orator with a great sense of humor and fearless spirit, he embraced life with enthusiasm—unafraid to try new things and always ready to lift others up.

Spirituality was central to Paddy’s journey through illness. In spring 2024, he made a pilgrimage with his mother Anne to Lourdes with the Knights of Malta—a deeply meaningful experience that strengthened his faith. Throughout his battle with cancer, Paddy remained God-loving and faith-filled. He never lost hope and fought valiantly until his final breath.

He is deeply mourned by his parents Hugh O'Donnell and Anne Rudolph O'Donnell; siblings Sean O'Donnell, Annie O'Donnell, Sergeant Hugh Kevin O'Donnell (U.S. Army), and Matthew O'Donnell; as well as many devoted friends whose lives were touched by his strength and joy.

Paddy light continues to shine through those he inspired with his courage, kindness, grace to include the procession of friends who visited him regularly. A Memorial Mass was held on September 3, 2025 at St James Catholic Church in Solana Beach where several hundred worshippers gathered in his memory, many wearing their team jerseys in Paddy’s honor. A Reception followed the Church Service where friends far and wide as well as coaches shared fond memories of Paddy in loving and at times entertaining tributes. The family requests that donations in Paddy's memory be made to StacheStrong.org for Paddy’s eldest brother Sean’s efforts to honor him at the NYC Marathon November 2, 2025 for continued research for a cure to treat this terrible disease.