Joseph F. O'Dea

O’DEA, Joseph F. passed away peacefully on December 8, 2020, at the age of 101. He was the beloved husband of the late Carolyn L. (LaVallin) O’Dea, and the loving father of Lee Breen (Ethel) O’Dea and Joseph F. (Carol) O’Dea, Jr., Esq. He had close and unique relationships with all six of his grandchildren: Stephanie Breen (Jonathan) Yoder, Allison Michelle (Matt) Gelb, Daniel William (Sloane) O’Dea, Kathryn Shane O’Dea, Julia Rose O’Dea, and Anna Leigh O’Dea. He was more recently delighted by the arrival of five great-grandchildren: Ethan Henry Yoder, Jackson Cruz O’Dea, Nora Carolyn Yoder, Brody Samuel O’Dea & Lucy Brigid Gelb. As he continued to live in his own home during his later years, he became technologically savvy, staying in close touch with his family, reading books on his iPad and following and critiquing world news each day. His friendship, insights and advice to his family will be sorely missed. Joe was a first-generation Irish American born in Philadelphia. He graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1937. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Temple University and enlisted in the US Navy during World War II (1943-1945). He proudly served on the USS Lycoming, a transport ship that delivered combat troops to beachhead landings in the Pacific, frequently fending off attacks from kamikaze dive bombers. Joe began his career as a truck driver with the Philadelphia Inquirer while still attending Temple on the GI Bill and went on to spend his entire 50+ year career there. He rose through the ranks, and ultimately became Vice President of Labor Relations when the Inquirer and Daily News were purchased by Knight Ritter in 1970. He was respected throughout the city as a tough but fair negotiator, and many a strike was circumvented by Joe’s skillful work at the table. He held that position until retirement in 1986. During retirement, Joe could frequently be seen with Carolyn enjoying a glass of wine at sunset from the deck of their house in Avalon. Due to the pandemic, a private service will be held at St. Hilary of Poitiers Church, 820 Susquehanna Rd. Rydal, PA 19046. Interment will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Joe's Funeral Mass will be live streamed, starting a little before 10 AM. Please go to his obituary on our website and click on tribute wall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Roman Catholic High School (The Roman Fund), 301 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, or St. Hilary of Poitiers Church. Services entrusted to Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home. Condolences: www.McGoldrickFH.com