W. Kevin O'Donnell

W. Kevin O'Donnell, 74, of Drums, passed away early Monday morning, May 8, 2023, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton. 

Born in Hazleton, April 19, 1949, he was the son of the late William and Dorothy (Planutis) O'Donnell and had spent most of his life in Drums. 

Kevin graduated from Hazleton High School, class of 1967.  He joined CAN DO in 1973 as Assistant Executive Director and held that position until he was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1985.  In 1995, the title was changed to President and CEO, a position he held until 2020.  Kevin helped bring regional, national, and global companies to Greater Hazleton - resulting in tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars annually for the local economy.

During his lifetime, Kevin had many accomplishments.  Some of his most notable include: in 1984, he was recognized by his peers as the first-ever "Developer of the Year" as selected by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA); in 2006, he was awarded the Ben Franklin Innovation Award "Special Achievement" for his contribution to the creation of the Great Valley Technology Alliance (GVTA); in 2009, he was inducted into the Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Hall of Fame; in 2014 he was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Minsi Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America; in 2020 he was honored by the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association with its highest award, the PEDA President's Award for his commitment, leadership and dedication to economic development in Pennsylvania. 

Kevin was a past officer and member of the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA), a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the International Business Innovation Association (INBIA), the Northeast Economic Development Association (NEDA), served on the board of directors of TecBRIDGE, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and was an incorporator and past president of Penn's Northeast.  He also served on the advisory board for the Ben Franklin Partnership of Northeast Pennsylvania and was an advisor to the Penn State Technical Assistance Program.

After retirement, Kevin continued to be actively involved in many community and business-oriented boards and organizations that included serving as the Assistant Treasurer of the CAN DO Community Foundation (which he was instrumental in the formation of), he was elected as an honorary lifetime member of the CAN DO Board of Directors, he served as the Treasurer of the Eckley Miners Village Association, he was a member of the Hazleton Rotary, a member of the Drums Lions Club and a member of Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, Drums.

He had a powerful impact on the community, but his true passion was with his family and friends.  He was a regular on the golf course with the Happy Old Golfers of Sugarloaf (HOGS) and Thursdays were spent with the "guys" at the Cigar Bar.  He loved riding his bike in Jim Thorpe, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking.  He enjoyed Sunday family time with his daughter Erin and grandson Chase, traveling to Maine to visit his son Ryan and granddaughters, Avanley and Keira, and traveling to Colorado for adventures with his daughter Courtney.

He was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his loving wife, Maureen Balas O'Donnell who passed away August 28, 2018. 

Surviving are three children, Ryan O'Donnell and his wife Doran Bowe-O'Donnell, Cumberland, ME; Courtney O'Donnell, Fort Collins, CO; and Erin Rudalavage and her husband Jason, Jermyn, PA; three grandchildren, Avanley and Keira O'Donnell and Chase Rudalavage; a sister, Kathleen Dixon and her husband Anthony, Bridgeville, DE; sister-in-law Jeanette Balas Tait, Drums, PA; brother-in-law Jerome V. "Butch" Balas and his wife Anna Mae, Drums, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 9:15 AM from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Good Shepherd RC Church, 87 S. Hunter Hwy, Drums, at 10 AM.  Entombment will follow in Calvary RC Cemetery, Drums. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 4 PM to 8 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the CAN-DO Community Foundation, 1 S. Church St. Hazleton, PA 18201.  Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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