Obituary of Stephen Lance O'Donnell

O’DONNELL, Stephen Lance – October 8, 1946 – October 14, 2024; passed away peacefully at home in Hastings, Annapolis Co., Nova Scotia with his spouse, Annette, by his side. Born in Toronto, he was the elder son of the late Stephen Cletus and Margaret Elizabeth (Orr) O’Donnell. At age 13, his family moved to CFB Petawawa, where many recreational opportunities became available to him.

His employment career took him to a number of places in Ontario and included working in finance, the labs for Texas Gulf in Timmins, and back to Petawawa where he worked for AECL for more than twenty years. Steve retired in 2009, and he and Annette moved to Nova Scotia after her retirement in 2012.

Steve was an athlete who competed at some high levels of competition, particularly senior hockey and senior ORFU football. He was a low-handicap golfer, played baseball and tennis, loved hunting and fishing. One of his many accomplishments was to become a level three curling instructor which allowed him to train coaches, but most importantly he used that skill to become a highly respected coach of junior curlers in Nova Scotia. If Steve had an interest in an activity, he was all in, including stamp collecting, aquaria, bridge and music; he was an Arrowhead (see AVRO Arrow). His love of reading and his great memory led him to be an excellent trivial pursuit player. He loved to dance which he did smoothly for such a big man. After moving to Nova Scotia, a favorite pastime was the weekly card games with his friends.

Steve was a devoted uncle to his nephew, Sean; and niece, Kara, and their children, always interested in their careers and achievements, often expressing a wish to see them play baseball, hockey, golf, and football. He continued to enjoy stories about them as he declined. Reminiscing about playing with his brother and the neighbourhood children in Toronto, about trips to Rice Lake as a child to his grandparents’ cottage and about Petawawa as a teenager where his love of the outdoors and sports really took hold, brought him great joy.

Survived by his loving wife, Annette Hennessy; brother, Michael (Susan) O’Donnell, London, Ont.; niece, Kara O’Donnell, her children, Luca and Lily; nephew, Sean (Jennifer) O’Donnell, their children, Michael and Adele.

At Steve’s request, there will be no service held at this time. No flowers please, donations may be made to a local junior curling program in your area or to the Alzheimer Society or other groups connected with dementia, would be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, 4895 Highway 10, New Germany where on-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.