Danbury Man One of Two Killed in Connecticut Hospital Explosion

On the morning of Friday, November 13, 2020, two men were killed and three others injured when a steam pipe exploded during repair in a VA Hospital in West Haven. Of the two men killed, 36-year-old Joe O’Donnell was a lifetime resident of Danbury.

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Joe, a member of Local 777, graduated from Danbury High in 2002, where he was a cross-country runner, wrestler and track athlete. Friends called him Joey O, Ocean Slayer and a variety of other nicknames related to his love for adventure, hunting, ATV riding and most of all fishing.

He leaves behind a legacy of friendship and kindness for all who knew him. Joe recently rekindled a relationship from Middle School and married Chrissy Weaver in February of 2020 and they are expecting their first child, a baby boy, in April of 2021. He was a beloved husband excited to welcome their baby, and was planning for baby #2, hoping to add a baby girl to their growing family.

Friends remember Joe most for his always helpful nature - willing to help anyone in need from home improvement projects to teaching and sharing his love of fishing. “This man impacted everyone’s lives he came in contact with. Great heart. Great character. He will be remembered forever” a friend posted to his Facebook page.

Donations to Joe O’Donnell’s family can be made here.

Rest easy, Joe. Know you are loved by those you’ve left behind - enjoy the fishing up in Heaven.

Here are some fond memories of Joe in photo form, courtesy of many of his friends and family: