Henry E. “Harry” O’Donnell
	Obituary: Of Westford, passed away peacefully at Merrimack Valley Hospice House on April 6th, 2010 after bravely fighting cancer for two years with grace and courage. Beloved husband of over 56 years to Louise T. (Re) O’Donnell, devoted father to Steve O’Donnell and his partner Steve Abany of Boston, Brian O’Donnell and his wife Sandra of Westford, Aileen O’Donnell and her wife Sandra Mitchell of Methuen, and Nancy Ganshirt of Burlington. Proud grandfather to Sean and Laura O’Donnell of Westford, and Christopher and Katelyn Ganshirt of Burlington. Brother to the late John (Bud) O’Donnell and his wife Ada of Plainville, the late William O’Donnell and his wife Rose of Westford, and the late Ann O’Brien and her husband John (Jack) of North Attleboro, as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, son of the late Henry and Elizabeth (Strachan) O’Donnell and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts, Harry attended St. Mary’s High School in Waltham where he was president of the senior class. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard where he served on the USS Duane in the North Atlantic for 3 years. Upon discharge from the Coast Guard, Harry went to work in the building trades as a member of Local #4, International Union of Elevator Constructors, working for Westinghouse Elevator, the Otis Elevator Company, and later the F.S. Payne Elevator Company. While working as a licensed maintenance mechanic, he was elected to serve as the President of Local #4, International Union of Elevator Constructors, helping to improve the working conditions and benefits for his union brothers. He also served as the President, Americans for Energy Independence, was the first President of Women in Construction, and was elected President of the Boston Building and Construction Trades Council. Harry later was elected as the full time business manager of Local #4, International Union of Elevator Constructors, where he served as a member of the Board of Elevator Constructors, as a member of the Citizens Advisory Council of Boston, as a trustee for the National Elevator Industry Health, Welfare & Pension Plans, the International Negotiating Team for contracts, and as a member of the Boston Construction Coordinating Committee – U.S. Department of Labor. He was also actively involved in charitable causes, and served as a coordinator for the United Way of Massachusetts (telethon for labor), and the United Cerebral Palsy Association, working and raising money at annual telethons. While serving as the Local #4 business manager, Harry was also elected Secretary-Treasurer and then later President of the Massachusetts State Building and Construction Trades, AFL-CIO. He was appointed Treasurer of the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency, and was on the State of Massachusetts Board of Elevator Regulations. Harry received an Honorary Ph.D. from the New England School of law. After living and raising his family in Burlington, Massachusetts for 35 years, he and his wife Louise moved to the Village at Stone Ridge in Westford in 2002. Most recently, Harry was known as the “Mayor of Stone Ridge” in the neighborhood where he and his wife lived. He enjoyed watching football games, the History Channel, and reading and walking around the Village with his grandchildren. He was keeper of the flag at the Village. Harry will be remembered by his family as a devoted husband, and a loving father and grandfather. He will be remembered by everyone who knew him for his leadership and his irrepressible sense of humor.
	Visitations:   Calling hours will be 2pm to 6pm on Sunday, April 11 at the J.A. Healy Sons Funeral Home.
	Services:   A celebratory mass will be held at Saint Catherine’s Church on 107 North Main Street in Westford, Massachusetts at 11am on Monday, April 12th, with a burial service to follow.
	Memorials:   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack Street, Building 9, Lawrence, MA 01843.
	Funeral Home: Map It Healy Funeral Home 57 North Main Street Westford, MA 01886

J. A. Healy Sons Funeral Home, 57 North Main Street, Westford, MA 01886
Phone: (978) 692-6502 . ward@healyfuneralhome.com . Fax (978) 349-6009
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