William J. O'Donnell Of Point Pleasant Dies At 82

Courtesy of O'Brien Funeral Home

William J. O'Donnell, 82, passed away peacefully on Sunday April 23, 2017 with his wife, Margaret and family by his side.

Born on November 23, 1934 and raised in Bayonne, NJ, Bill lived the last 45 years in Point Borough and Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Bill was a graduate of St. Peter's High School in Staten Island, and a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, where he received his mechanical engineering degree in 1956. He earned his professional engineering license shortly thereafter.

Bill enjoyed an outstanding 35-year career at PSE&G where he worked his way up the ranks as he oversaw the fabrication of several large power generating stations throughout the state that still operate today and keep our lights on. He ultimately went into management and attained the title of Chief Mechanical Engineer. Bill was also an innovator as he was part of a three-person start-up company called Powerfect, that has grown and is still thriving today, 40 years later.

Bill was devoted to his wife, Margaret and their children and grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing and being out on the water on his boat, the Celtic. Bill also enjoyed spending time back in the family home in Donegal, Ireland.

He was an outstanding public speaker, a great listener, talented manager, and great teacher. At home, Bill never saw a project he was afraid to undertake, whether it was hooking up a septic system or painting the entire house every couple of years. He was also a master electrician. Bill was a strong, determined, yet reserved man with a huge, generous heart and kind and selfless soul who will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie who were both emigrants from County Donegal, Ireland. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, of 56 years and his son, John and his wife Sharon of Brielle and their five children, Liam, Caitlin, Sean, Ryan and Annie; and his daughter, Bridget Paniscotti and her husband, Mario of Wall, and their 3 children, Brianna, Kristen, and Erin.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 New Bedford Road, Wall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2 at St. Peter's Church 406 Foreman Ave, Point Pleasant Beach.Burial will follow at St. Catharine's Cemetery, Wall. For more information or to send condolences please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com. -