A life dedicated to his family and Sea Cliff

James J. O’Donnell Jr., a lifelong Sea Cliff resident who devoted decades to his family, village and fire department, died Jan. 9. He was 88.

Born Aug. 14, 1937, at Glen Cove Hospital, O’Donnell spent his entire life in Sea Cliff. He graduated from Sea Cliff High School before the opening of North Shore High School and went on to join his father in the family paving business, later operating James O’Donnell & Sons.

In 1963, he married Alice McEvoy of Oyster Bay. They were married for 63 years and raised three sons, James, Sean and Timothy, in Sea Cliff. The couple eventually returned to the two-family house where O’Donnell had been born, living there for more than two decades.

O’Donnell served the Village of Sea Cliff for many years as foreman of the Department of Public Works. He dedicated 67 years to the Sea Cliff Fire Department, joining in his early 20s. He was a longtime member of the Sea Cliff Hook and Ladder Company and served as chief driver of the ladder truck. He later served as a member of the fire council and was known for his dependability.

“The funny story around is like nobody could ever beat him to the firehouse,” his son Tim said. “He was always the first one there.”

Firefighting was only one part of his commitment to community. He coached Sea Cliff Little League for more than a decade and was active in the fire department’s softball and football teams. He supported St. Boniface Martyr Catholic Church and contributed his time and skills to numerous village efforts.

His wife Alice emphasized how much the village, its people, and being part of its community always meant to her husband.

“He’s a part of Sea Cliff,” she said. “He always gave his time and whatever he could offer.”

Growing up, his sons accompanied him to job sites, fire calls and ball fields.

“He was a great dad,” Tim said. “He was funny. He wasn’t really all that stern, unless he had to be.”

The O’Donnell household was rooted in Irish heritage. Both of O’Donnell’s parents, as well as his wife’s, immigrated from Ireland, and his children grew up surrounded by extended family, heavy brogues and large holiday gatherings.

“It was a very loving and caring environment,” his eldest son Jimmy said. “It was pretty incredible.”

Christmas Eve was an important tradition in the O’Donnell home, with neighbors and fellow firefighters stopping by. The sense of community that defined O’Donnell’s life was ever present.

“I always saw my dad as very hard working, very committed,” Jimmy said. “I just always felt so attached to the community in Sea Cliff through my father, really, and all his connections.”

That attachment extended across generations. O’Donnell’s sons Tim and Sean are members of the department to this day, as are two of his grandsons, Brian and Jack.

Beyond the firehouse, O’Donnell quietly helped neighbors with snow plowing, home repairs and a listening ear. Jimmy described his father, a recipient of Sea Cliff Civic Association’s White Cap Award, as “a doer” who was always willing to lend a hand.

“He didn’t sit around talking about helping people,” he said. “He went out and helped people.”

O'Donnell enjoyed watching the Giants, Rangers and Mets and was a devoted Notre Dame fan. In later years, he spent time woodworking in his garage, building furniture and crafting birdhouses for friends and family. He also loved classic cars and organized and participated in car shows for many years.

“He was just always there,” Tim said. “He instilled in us a hard work ethic and being community minded.”

O’Donnell is survived by his wife, Alice; his sons James (Marina), who lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Sean (Jeanne Marie) of Sea Cliff, and Timothy (Stacey) of Sea Cliff; and grandchildren Brian (Karli), Katelyn (Leo), Jack, Dillon, Shane, Matthew, and Madison and his great-granddaughter, McKenna.