HOLYOKE

John J. O’Donnell, 89, of Holyoke, passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at his home.  He was born in Boston, son of the late John and Elizabeth (Currie) O’Donnell and graduated from Holyoke High School and Suffield Academy.  John was a United States Navy Veteran of both World War II and the Korean War.  He was a retired longtime sales representative for Williams Distributing Company of Springfield.   John had lived here since 1932 and was a member and past president of the Holyoke Turn Verein.  He was a member of the United States Volleyball Association and was a former New England Commissioner.  John officiated at several national volleyball championships, including the 1984 Olympics. He was elected to the USVBA Board of Directors from 1973 to 1979 and also served on the Referee Rating Committee, All-American Selection Committee, International Relations Committee and as an Incorporator of the Volleyball Hall of Fame.  In 2010 John received the Mintonette Medallion Merit award when he was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, MA, and in 2011 he was inducted into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of the sport. John was a communicant of Holy Cross Parish for many years. John was the widower of Pauline A. (Richardson) O’Donnell, who died on March 11, 2014.  John is survived by a son, Gary O’Donnell and his wife Sharon of Holyoke; two daughters, Deborah D’Amico and her husband Gene of Southampton, and Lori Szostkiewicz and her husband Mark of Irvine, CA; four beloved grandchildren, Elyse, Jeffrey, Caralyn and Corinn; as well as several nieces and nephews.  Family and friends are invited to a prayer service to be held on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke followed by burial at 10:00 a.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United States Volleyball Foundation, 4065 Sinton Road, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.