Obituary of Harvey O'Dell

     It is with heavy hearts that the family of Harvey Malcolm O’Dell announce his passing which occurred on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB. Born in Saint John, NB on October 2, 1949, he was the son of the late Ronald and Muriel (Totten) O’Dell.

Harvey was a kind-hearted, fun-loving, outgoing father known by all for his warm embrace and by most as Handsome Harvey. He was born in a time of simplicity to hard-working parents, the 4th boy of 5 sons. He attended Kingsway College, in Oshawa Ontario, returning to Barnesville where he met his beautiful loving wife Barbara. At 20 years of age challenged himself to marriage and became a dad to two small children. By the age of 28, he was a father to five beautiful children.

     In 1979 during the Maritime Depression, he adventured in a modern-day wagon train and headed to Lacombe, AB, where he worked as a carpenter for CUC in Lacombe, AB. Through the years he always remained active and enjoyed spending time with friends and family doing various activities including hockey, tennis, biking, pickleball, golfing, swimming, and racket ball.

     He fulfilled a longtime dream of returning to New Brunswick to build a new home and rekindle relationships with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the Palliative Care Unit for their excellent care and kindness. You will not be forgotten. 

    Harvey is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Barbara (Brown) (Smith) O’Dell of Smithtown, NB; children: Crystal Johnson (Trevor) of Lacombe, AB, Robert Smith (Renee) of Red Deer, AB, Christopher O’Dell (Edna) of Lacombe, AB, Nicole Wiseman (Brandon) of Red Deer, AB and Heather Hand (Jaymen) of Lacombe, AB; grandchildren: Teagen Johnson (Brittney), Myles Smith, Sierra Smith, Evan Wiseman, Kalyn Hand and Aiden Hand; great-grandchildren Elisha and Esther; brothers: Vernon O’Dell of Barnesville, NB, Gary O’Dell of Barnesville, NB, Gerald O’Dell (Wilma) of Upham, NB and Kevin O’Dell (Susan) of St. Stephen, NB; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family. In addition to his parents, Harvey was predeceased by sisters-in-law Shirley O’Dell and Clydetta O’Dell and nephew Martin O’Dell.

     Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s Funeral Home (506-832-5541) 1063 Main Street Hampton, NB, where visitation will be held on Thursday, January 16^th from 4pm to 7pm. The funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, January 17^th, 2024, at the Barnesville Seventh Day Adventist Church (1178 Route 820 Barnesville, NB). There will be a reception following the service at the church. Interment will take place in the spring at Barnesville Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery, Barnesville, NB.

     Donations in memory of Harvey may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery (Barnesville) or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and charitable donations may be made through: ReidsFH.com

For those who wish to view Harvey’s service, please click on the following link: www.hamptonsda.ca/funeral. When you go to this address, it will try to open a Zoom session. If you don’t have Zoom on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can still watch it through the web browser with the “Join from your browser" link.