Obituary of Joseph T. O'Donnell

Joseph T. O’Donnell Jr. — accomplished businessman, proud veteran, and loving husband, father and grandfather — died on March 29 in New Vernon, N.J. He was 75.

Born in Jersey City, N.J. in 1947, O’Donnell graduated from Georgetown University in 1969 with a B.A. in Government; in 1980, he earned an M.B.A. from N.Y.U.’s Stern School of Business. He was also a Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, serving from 1970 until his honorable discharge in 1991.

Over five decades, O’Donnell had a storied career on Wall St., specializing in corporate finance. He was a managing director at Bankers Trust Corp, President of Metzler Corporation, a founding partner at Briscoe Capital Management and, until his retirement, a Managing Director at GE Commercial Finance.

An avid golfer, traveler, and oenophile, O’Donnell is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine; his four children, Joseph C. O’Donnell, Gwendolyn (Wendy) Barisonek, Kevin O’Donnell, and Erin O’Donnell Sviokla; sons-in-law Michael Barisonek and Sylvester (Chip) Sviokla IV; and grandchildren, Lily Barisonek, Erin Barisonek, Edward (Ted) Barisonek, Penelope (Penny) Sviokla, Sylvester (Charlie) Sviokla V., Joe Sviokla, and Gus Sviokla.

A wake will be held on April 13th at Burroughs, Kohr and Dangler Funeral Home in Madison, N.J from 4-7pm. A mass and memorial service will be held at Church of Christ the King in New Vernon, NJ on April 14th at 11am.