John C McDonnell

Bud was born in Berwyn, PA to John (Pop) and Kathryn (Mom Mom) McDonnell and was raised in Wayne, PA with three brothers (Ed, Jim and Dick) during the Great Depression. With WWII raging, Bud was compelled to complete a shortened high school course of study and joined the US Army - assigned to the 71st Infantry Division of Patton’s Third Army. Bud and the ‘Red Circlers’ landed at La Havre, France (February 6, 1945) and advanced 775 miles across France and Germany in the 59 days of fierce fighting before the war ended in May 1945.

 With the war over, Bud returned to PA and married Patricia Callahan. Eventually, Bud and Pat adventured West and settled in California’s booming San Fernando Valley. There they raised their growing family (Suzanne, John, Kathleen and David) until moving to Camarillo in 1964. 

Bud worked hard in various capacities during his long life – including apprentice electrician, insurance salesman and retail hardware store manager. Bud still could be found working (repairing window screens) well into his late 80s at Camarillo’s B & B Hardware Store.  

Bud’s father (Pop) had been a trombonist in an Army band during WWI and Bud also played that instrument. His brother Ed, instead, took up the clarinet. Bud’s passion for the trombone inspired a long list of others to learn to play the instrument including his brother (Dick), his two sons, a nephew, and a granddaughter. Bud had a lifelong love of music and studied piano most of his adult life.

Bud and Pat were married 68 years and welcomed countless relatives to stay in their home over the years. That home was always a beehive of activity – where persons of many generations shared love, laughter, and music. Bud was always a bright light, kind and endearing, and would do anything for a person in need. In the mid-70s, he donated a kidney to his brother Ed, allowing Ed several additional years of life. It can be said without exaggeration that everyone who met this man quickly learned to love him - his goodness, great humor and love of God and family made Bud a favorite of all. 

Bud is survived by his beloved wife Patricia, his four children, 16 grandkids and 16 great-grandkids. That doesn’t even begin to tell the story though. He leaves behind countless others - in his beloved PA, in OH, in MA, in ME, in IL, in CO, in WI, in OK and all over his adopted state of CA - whose lives were enriched by knowing him. All of us celebrate his beautiful life and mourn his passing. Papa Bud, we all miss you terribly. Pop, Ed, and Dick – make some room for the newest horn player in Heaven’s band.