Barry J. O'Donnell

Barry J. O’Donnell of West Chester, Pennsylvania, died on June 28, 2024, having survived with leukemia for over 16 years. He left this life surrounded by the embrace of his close-knit family.

Barry was born on June 26, 1950, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Francis (Frank) and Catherine (Kay) O’Donnell. He was the eldest of six children, who have remained as close as a family could be throughout their lives. Barry was a devoted older brother and cheerleader of his siblings, always supporting them in their endeavors throughout the years.

A New Yorker through and through, he grew up and attended elementary and high school on Long Island and received a BA and MA in Fine Arts from Binghamton University. 

After college, Barry moved to Manhattan, working as an actor Off-Broadway, at regional theaters, and in television. During this time he got married and had a daughter. He loved being a dad and considered his daughter - and later his granddaughter - his “greatest gifts” in life. 

In the 1980’s Barry began a career as a communications professional in the burgeoning cable television industry, where he quickly rose to prominence. He worked first at the newly formed sports channel ESPN and then was tapped to open a New York press office for Turner Broadcasting/CNN. Barry created the Atlanta cable company’s inaugural Manhattan office, a busy communications outlet that under his direction became a prestigious corporate hub.

He was then tapped by Ted Turner to oversee broadcasting of the Goodwill Games, held in Seattle in 1990. After helming the Games, Barry moved with his family to Atlanta, to work on broadcasting for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

After the Olympics, he became a Vice President at QVC in West Chester, PA, where he oversaw the construction of Studio Park, the company’s new 24-hour television facility. After leaving QVC, Barry worked as an independent consultant on communication and television projects in the Mid-Atlantic and in Washington, DC until his retirement.

After his retirement, Barry returned to West Chester and spent his remaining years there. He loved the beautiful Chester County countryside especially when walking with his cherished bulldog Beau.

Barry was an active part of the recovery community for over 20 years and incredibly grateful for his sobriety. Many people struggling with addiction benefited from his selfless service. He was President of the Triangle Club in Washington, DC and after moving back to West Chester started the first LGBTQ+ meeting in the area. The great friends he made in AA sustained him through the health challenges he so bravely faced.

A mentor to many and a devoted, generous friend, Barry was confident in even the most challenging situations and widely known as witty, lively, outspoken, and a great storyteller. He was frequently quoted by all who knew him and invariably addressed everyone as “Babe.” 

He is survived by his daughter Emily Ziemba (Jay) of West Chester PA and his one-year-old granddaughter Audrey, in whom he took the greatest joy; former wife and beloved friend Gail Obenreder O’Donnell of Wilmington DE; brother Thomas O’Donnell (Caroline Fawcett) of Chevy Chase MD; sisters Mary O’Rourke of Burlingame CA, Kate Doria of Amityville NY, Joanne Cuneo (Charlie) of Lloyd Neck NY, Eileen Glassman (Lonnie) of Baldwin NY; and 14 nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom loved Uncle Barry for his warmth and wit and revelled in the many family stories he loved to retell.

Friends may pay their respects at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home 410 N Church St, West Chester PA 610-696-1181 on Monday, July 8, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be remembrances starting at 6 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at Christ Church Christiana Hundred, 505 East Buck Road, Wilmington, DE at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9 Live Streaming of the service can be found by Clicking Here, with interment to follow at Birmingham Lafayette Cemetery in West Chester. Afterwards, everyone is invited to Brandywine Prime 1617 Baltimore Pike Chadds Ford, PA  for a reception at 12:30 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The PAN Foundation

Livestrong Foundation

Rest peacefully, Babe. You will be greatly missed and joyously remembered.