James O’Donnell

Waterford — James Edward O’Donnell, age 78, died Feb. 18, 2017, after a short illness.

Born June 14, 1938, in Ticonderoga, N.Y., the son of Floyd Joseph and Hilda Ann (Spain) O’Donnell, he grew up and lived most of his life in Newcomb, in the heart of the Adirondack Park. After graduating from Newcomb Central School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years as an electronics specialist aboard reconnaissance aircraft. Following his honorable discharge, he joined the U.S. Postal Service and was appointed postmaster of the Newcomb Post Office.

He married Ione Grace Stufflebeam of Long Lake, N.Y., in January of 1961. They resided in Newcomb for the next 37 years, and there they raised their three children. He was an active outdoorsman and adventurous hiker, and he knew well the woods, mountains and trails around Newcomb and the surrounding Adirondack Park. He served as postmaster in Newcomb for 37 years and retired in 1997. Following his retirement, he and Ione moved to Ivins, Utah, where he quickly came to enjoy hiking and biking in the beautiful mountains and canyons of Snow Canyon Park. An avid reader and lover of electronics, he was also a self-taught computer programmer. Slowed by illness in recent years, he and Ione recently moved to Waterford to live near their daughter and family.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Ione Grace (Stufflebeam) O’Donnell; daughter, Jamie Baxter and husband, James, of Waterford; son, David Howard O’Donnell and wife, Ann-Marie, of Newcomb, N.Y.; son, John Edward O’Donnell and wife, Tammy, of Latham, N.Y.; and six grandchildren, Allison Baxter, James Baxter, Meghan O’Donnell, Peter O’Donnell, Katie O’Donnell and James O’Donnell. His parents and brother, John Robert O’Donnell, predecease him.

His wife and children would like to thank family, friends and caregivers for their support and words of condolence. Donations in his memory can be made to the American Heart Association. To send an online condolence, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com.