John O’Donnell, mathematician, lecturer, aeromodeller, Science Fiction enthusiast, and loving dad and granddad, died April 18th 2017, aged 84. This website is dedicated to remembering him.
About
I am sorry to let you all know that my dad, John O’Donnell, whom many of you, especially in the aeromodelling community, will know, passed away yesterday afternoon, 18th April 2017, age 84. He had spent the weekend at a sci-fi convention with my mum June, my sister Jenny and her son. He fell, carrying a folding bookcase they had been using back upstairs while on his own in the house; mum and Jenny found him on their return. He was always independently minded and would not have considered he needed help for such a trivial task!
John was a force in aeromodelling for all his life. Although I never took it up beyond my childhood, I remember fondly going with him as a child to several airfields and sports halls.. I even won an indoor contest once; dad still has the plane I built, somewhere. Flying was his passion, and I know he commanded an awful lot of respect from you all.
Latterly his other main interest, Science Fiction, became a larger part of his life, and he was becoming recognised as very knowledgeable on the subject and with his dealings, especially given the size of his collection, which was rapidly taking over the house.
Thanks to those whom have already contacted us. For those whom wish to attend, the funeral arrangements are listed under the “Events” link.
We would all love to hear your memories of John. Please feel free to leave a comment, however short.
– Robert O’Donnell. April 2017
Blog
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Just found out this afternoon that an old family friend of John and June, whom attended the funeral, was taken into hospital yesterday with chest pains, and died overnight. More dreadful news after a hard week for all of us. My thoughts are of course with her husband and family at this time. Rob
My Brother John
This speech is by Hugh O’Donnell, John’s brother. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hear it due to time constraints, however here it is for you now. MY BROTHER JOHN I do not want to repeat the many, many fine and wonderful aeromodelling accolades which are well set out on the web site which Robert has …
Slipping away
On behalf of June, Jenny and myself, Rob, and the wider family, I thank everybody whom came today to pay their respects to John. There was a fantastic turnout, and I am sure dad would have been overwhelmed at the love and support shown. I know I was.. There are too many names to single …
Links
Some links to other sites where John is being discussed.
BMFA – News Item
Controlline.org.uk – Forum Topic
Facebook – Unofficial BMFA chat group
Facebook – Eastercon 2017
Contact
Click on “About and Comments” to leave a public message.
Private emails can be sent to robert@jod.org.uk