Personal Life
O'Donnell's first wife died in childbirth. O'Donnell remarried in August 1965 to Ellen and their combined families have eight children and fifteen grandchildren. Before the O'Donnell's joined the Peace Corps administrative staff in Korea, they adopted each other's children. "I think there are a lot of positive factors that happened in our merger," said daughter Maura. "The moment we got on that plane, nobody knew we were two different families." On January 21, 2008, the Cleveland Plain Dealer announced the passing of Ellen O'Donnell. "She helped to make you feel good about yourself and that no problem could not be solved by simply doing what you do and being yourself," added Maura.
O'Donnell was the father of science fiction writer Kevin O'Donnell, Jr, who died on November 7, 2012.
Read more about this topic: Kevin O'Donnell
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