Michael F. O'Donnell

1964 – 2018

Michael Francis O'Donnell, 54, of Colorado, passed away Sunday, November 25, 2018, at his home in Denver, Colo. Raised in Brockton, Mass., Michael graduated from Brockton High School in 1982 and held a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass. Following college, Michael relocated to Orlando, Fla., to work as a Casting Manager for Walt Disney World. His work with Disney took him around the world pairing the work he enjoyed with his love of travel. His work as a Human Resources Executive following his time at Disney brought him around the country with stops in Houston, Kansas, and Ohio before he finally settled in Denver, Colo., where he had lived for over 20 years. Michael was a lover of food, wine and travel. He was an extraordinary cook and loved to share his food with others. Michael enjoyed yearly trips to Key West with his close friends, adventures to Las Vegas to see his favorite performers and travels through Europe. Along with enjoying cooking and traveling, Michael dedicated his time and talents as board member of Project Angel Heart, a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life-threatening illness in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas. Michael will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor and love for his family. Michael is survived by his loving mother, Patricia M. (Russell) O'Donnell of Brockton; his siblings, Susan Dundon of Middleboro, Mass., William "Skip" O'Donnell III and his wife Janet of Bridgewater, Mass., John O'Donnell and his wife Lisa of Brockton, Mass., and Cathleen Brien and her husband Steven of Bridgewater, Mass.; his adored nieces and nephews, Caitlin Bueno, Cristen O'Donnell, Brian Dundon, Meghan Costa, Sean O'Donnell, Emily Brien, Patrick Brien, Aidan Brien, Jack O'Donnell, Lauren O'Donnell; and great-niece, Leah Costa; and great-nephew, Ryan Costa. Michael is also survived by his many friends in Massachusetts, Florida and Colorado, whom he considered his second family. He was the son of the late William E. O'Donnell Jr. Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St. (Rte. 123), Brockton, Mass., on Monday, December 3, at 9 a.m. thence to St. Edith Stein/St. Edward Church, 71 East Main St., Brockton, Mass., where a funeral Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Brockton, Mass. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Sunday from 12-3 p.m. For guest book, visit russellpicafuneralhome.com.