Eddie A. O'Donnell

Edward Aloysius O’Donnell passed away peacefully on April 11, 2019 after a two month struggle with pancreatic cancer. He was fortified by the last sacraments of the Holy Mother Church. Eddie was cared for through his illness by his beloved wife, Rose and strengthened, as he was his entire life, by a deep and abiding faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by friends and family throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, mass intensions are preferred. Donations can be made to the Poor Clares at Monastery of St. Clare, 200 Marycrest Drive, St. Louis, MO 63129 or to Our Lady's Inn maternity homes at ourladysinn.org.

Eddie was born in St. Louis on November 11, 1934. He spent his youth as a South Side boy with his brother Jim and was raised by his parents, Ed and Dolly, in their home on Oleatha Ave. He attended St. Louis University High School and Quincy University where he studied marketing and biology. After college he served in the United States Navy.

In 1959 Eddie married Ann George Halloran and raised their two children, Tracy Stone (nee O’Donnell) and Edward Aloysius O’Donnell, III (Little Eddie). Their following near 30 years of marriage was filled with joyful times spent with friends and family. Supporting Ann’s tireless work as a national leader of the Right to Life movement, Eddie was and remained till her death in 1986 her partner and stalwart champion. Eddie was a cherished grandfather to Sarah and Katie O’Donnell and Zach and Tory Stone. He was uncle, cousin, godparent and mentor to many who knew and cared for him.

In 1988 Eddie met and fell in love with Rose O’Donnell (nee Kircher), the remarkable woman he would share the remainder of his 31years with in their home on Conway Road. Rose and Eddie shared a passion for the outdoors. Whether gardening at home or bicycling through Europe, Rose and Eddie found a joy in each other’s company…a joy which defined their marriage and their love for each other.

Although family and friends knew Eddie best for his good humor, compassion and loyalty, he had impressive personal and professional accomplishments. Eddie started his professional career in printing and graphic arts by apprenticing with his father, another Eddie O’Donnell, at Shallcross Printing. He learned the trade well from his dad who was Shallcross’s top salesman during a 52 year selling career. Eddie took the skills he learned working with his father and started his own successful firm – O’Donnell Printing and Stationary located at Boyle and Papin Ave. His talents lead to work in the printing industry with other firms including Kohler Printing and Stark Printing.

While still selling printing, his entrepreneurial spirit lead him to set aside some time to build First Street Alley, a Dixieland ragtime pub and restaurant in Laclede’s Landing. With partners Lou Chiodini and Dave Switzer, they helped in the revitalization on the Landing in the late 70’s.

Always one for the next adventure, Eddie started a design firm, O’Donnell Enterprises, where he conceived new ideas for promotional products for local and national businesses. He traveled internationally searching out manufacturers in Ireland, Scotland, England, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to produce his creations. Also during this time he started up the fine arts department at Color Associates. With Color Associates newly purchased 6 color waterless Kimori presses, Eddie was able to reproduce fine art with unprecedented accuracy. He worked with artists and museums across the country on many outstanding artwork projects.

Eddie also participated in other non-work related organizations. Chief among these, and dear to his heart because of the close friendships that ensued, was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. Eddie also was a member of the St. Patrick’s Center, Ladue School Board, Kilo Foundation, Forth Degree Knight of Columbus, Third Order of Saint Francis, Irish American Partnership, Chairman St. Louis County/County Donegal sister City Committee, Irish American Partnership, Deer Creek Watershed Alliance, Printing Industries of St. Louis, and, of course, Missouri Citizens for Life.

Though his many accomplishments are noteworthy, no remembrance of Eddie O’Donnell would be complete without mentioning the family and friends which defined his legacy. Fortunately, everyone who is reading this remembrance who knew Eddie understands how he touched your life with his kindness, goodwill, generosity and humor. He lives with the angels now. He will also live on in our hearts and memories as we look back and cherish the time we had with this truly wonderful man.