Died January 2, 2016, in Ireland at the age of 82.
Fr. O’Dea was born December 16, 1933, and ordained to the priesthood in Ireland for the Diocese of Tucson on June 7, 1958. He served at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Phoenix, Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa, St. Anthony of Padua Parish Casa Grande, St. Francis Parish in Superior, St. Patrick Parish in Bisbee, St. John Vianney Parish in Goodyear, St. Matthew Parish in Phoenix, Christ the King Parish in Mesa, Holy Spirit Parish in Tempe, and he retired after serving as pastor of Ascension Parish in Fountain Hills in 2003.
The funeral Mass was held at Church of Christ the King, Ballycorick, Co Clare, Ireland on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 with burial on the church grounds.