Dear Joe – I grew up in Gloucester in the 60s and 70s, one of seven kids, all of whom graduated from Gloucester High. I have been enjoying GoodMorningGloucester, and recently found the great reminiscences of Melissa Abbott on Gloucester in the 1960s and 1970s. Our father, Dr. Walter E. O’Donnell, came to Gloucester in 1960, started his own medical practice and eventually led a group practice that grew into Cape Ann Medical Center. I have lots of fond memories of going on house calls with him all over Gloucester and Rockport. Gloucester in the early 1960s was still a place where everyone made house calls. Every week, Bud Murphy from Railroad Avenue Market (naturally, not on RR Ave but on East Main St where the Last Stop is now) would show up at our door with all our groceries, including the greenest bananas he could find for my father. In a smelly symmetry, once a week Joe the garbage man, with his big smile under the dirtiest watch cap, would come by to collect our garbage, and haul it back to feed it banquet-style to the pigs at the piggery off Eastern Ave. And of course, we all remember the famous housecalls that Sylvester Deering made to that little white house on Stacy Boulevard – when the Cut Bridge broke, naturally in the upright position, Mr. Deering was the only person who knew how to fix it. My dad made hundreds of house calls a year, right up until he retired in 1989. My family and I have been reminiscing about Dad’s house calls, and wondered if any of your readers have any housecall stories to share.
Thanks. WJ O’Donnell
Good Morning Gloucester 
My father-in-law was his first patient. I was close behind.. I also know your brother Patrick
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Dr. O’Donnell saved my Mum’s life ~ My Mum, Janet Fusek then, had stomach pains on and off for weeks. Leahy Clinic could find nothing wrong, and so it went. One night, late, I heard voices then fell back to sleep. Off to school I went the next morning,
to come home to find Mum gone, and no Dad.
Sheila Collins, came to tell me Mum was at Addison Gilbert ~ long story short, Dr O’Donnell diagnosed peritonitis, she had emergency surgery, and lived happily until 2012.
I remember Dr. O’Donnell as a kind, caring professional, giving 100% to his loyal patients. Wish I’d had a chance to thank him
for saving Mum.
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This name sounds real familiar to me also it was the times of our life as kids always exploring and asking too many questions always trying to find the answers and watching the artists painting scenery both oil and water color…I will ask mom also she has a great memory of these years as well…We lived on Washington Street in Lanesville close to Tucker street. The population grew during summer months, summer cottages and then when fall came around things went to sleep until spring except for the locals we got the best of both worlds – and meet new folks every year great memories…I will advise…
Dave:-) & Kim:-)
Times Of Your Life with Lyrics – Paul Anka
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I replied to this…
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My father-in-law was your father’s first patient. He was also my primary care doctor until he retired. Your brother Patrick
is a good friend of mine.
Bob Quinn
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