Richard E. O’Donnell, 90, of Simsbury, CT passed away on February 22, Ash Wednesday. He was the loving husband of Lorraine and son of John O’Donnell and Marie Oliver O’Donnell of Waterbury. “Dick” and his wife Lorraine, were married for 65 years and had four sons, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. After high school graduation in 1950, he enlisted, to serve in the Korean Conflict as a member of the Army Corps of Engineers, disarming land mines, among other tasks in Korea. After returning to the States, Dick was set up on a blind date with Lorraine by a mutual friend and married in 1957. He used the GI Bill to attend the University of Connecticut and graduated with a degree in finance in 1960.

He and his young family moved from Woodbury to Simsbury in 1963 where he was employed as a vice-president at the original Simsbury Bank and Trust for many years, financing homes and new businesses for those in town. Dick, affectionately known as “Digger” had early training in carpentry skills and applied them to many home additions and renovations in Simsbury in his spare time and after retirement from banking. After his retirement, he enjoyed photography and travel to many international locations with his wife Lorraine.

Dick was one of the early members of the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association in the 1960s and was trained as one of the first EMTs in the state of Connecticut. He served in the SVAA for many years where he made many long-time friends. In 1987, Richard was honored as a Simsbury “Hometown Hero.”

Richard O’Donnell was generous with his time as a volunteer in town for various projects, such as Septemberfest, using his EMT skills on Boy Scout trips or his carpentry skills to construct sets for the Simsbury Light Opera Company. When his sons married, Dick could be found helping with countless renovations to their homes.

Richard was predeceased by his son, Stephen, his sister, Jean Lowrey, and by his parents. He leaves behind his loving wife Lorraine (Duhamel), children John O’Donnell and Debbie (Keller) of Glastonbury, Brian O’Donnell and Ann (Murphy) of Simsbury, Tim O’Donnell and Heidi (Iken) of Canton, as well as grandchildren Greg O’Donnell and Marie of South Portland, ME, James O’Donnell and Kristen of Bristol, CT, Abby O’Donnell of San Francisco, CA, Emily O’Donnell of Dover, NH, Aidan O’Donnell of Medford, MA, and Liam O’Donnell currently attending the University of Rochester. He was very happy to have four little great-grandchildren: Maeve, Andrew, Saoirse, and Dillon.

Visiting hours are on Sunday, February 26th from 2:00 pm to 4:00pm at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury. The funeral service will be Monday, February 27th 12:15 PM from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 1:00 PM at St. Mary’s Church in Simsbury. Burial will follow in Simsbury Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Simsbury Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 301, Simsbury, CT 06070. Please visit Dick’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.