Obituary of Gerald "Jerry" Walter O'Dell

Gerald “Jerry” Walter O’Dell, 73, of Old Lyme passed away on April 1, 2021 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He is survived by a big and loving family, including his wife of nearly 52 wonderful years, Dawn (Rochette) O’Dell of Old Lyme, his three children and their loving spouses, Brian and Jessica O’Dell of Old Saybrook, David and Kristen (O’Dell) Arseneau of Fairfax Station, VA, and Jason and Kelsey (O’Dell) Cole of Madison, as well as six cherished grandchildren, Zachary and Benjamin O’Dell, Stefan and Anya Arseneau, and Emmett and Oliver Cole. Jerry also leaves behind his loving mother, Frances O’Dell Davidson of Ivoryton, and five siblings, Jill (O’Dell) Gladding of Chester, Joan (O’Dell) Roche of Harwich, MA, Gary O’Dell of Georgetown, SC, David O’Dell of Grayson, GA, and Terri (O’Dell) Finkeldey of Ivoryton. He was predeceased by his father A. Walter O’Dell of Ivoryton. Jerry was born in Ossining, NY and grew up in Ivoryton. He was a graduate of Valley Regional High School class of 1965 and studied electrical and mechanical engineering at the University of Connecticut. He retired in 2018 from a long and successful career at the Lee Company, starting in 1971 as a part-time draftsman in Westbrook while still in college and serving as Vice President of Electro-Fluidics in Essex since the 1980s. Jerry was an exceptional engineer, inventor with several patents to his name, and problem-solver, who as a young husband and father took on the challenge of designing and building his own home in Old Lyme. He loved golfing, skiing, fishing, and boating, and will forever be remembered for his pure heart, dry wit, and absolute devotion to his family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be sent to Connecticut Hospice in Branford. Visitation will be held at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook on Wednesday April 7, 2021 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 11:00AM at Old Saybrook Riverside Cemetery, 59 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook. To share a memory or send a condolence to Jerry’s family please visit www.rwwfh.com.