Obituary for Alfred J. "Red" O'Dette
Alfred J., “Red“ O’Dette, 88 a Lifetime resident of Waltham passed away peacefully on Saturday August
28 th in Lincoln, MA.
Red was born to the Late Alfred and Bertha (Bennett) O’Dette on September 08, 1932 in Newton, MA.
Alfred learned at an early age the value of a solid education and the importance of perseverance while
spending his early years at St. Joseph’s Parochial and St. Mary’s High School until the 11th grade, later
transferring to Waltham High where he graduated Class of 1950. By age 14 he began working for Frye
Roofing fulltime after school on the night shift to help provide for his siblings. At the time of his dad’s
death in 1953, no stranger to hard work, sacrifice, and mature beyond his years, Red became the co-
head of the family with his mom Bertha. By age 22 Red was married and from this union his son Michael
J. Adams was born. After living in Florida for a year where he sold Life Insurance for John Hancock, he
returned to Waltham in August of 1962 driving trucks for a Highway landscaping company by day and
tending bar at the 105 Club on Moody Street at night, becoming the manager once Benny Graceffa
retired to Bourne, MA. Shortly after, he met his beloved Patricia at the 105. After seeing each other on
a regular basis, they married in Waltham in 1970. Spending their entire married life together, first on
Fern St. until 1987, then to “The Island" where they have a lovely home on the waterfront. In 1983 they
purchased a cottage on Hills Beach in Maine and spent many happy times with family and friends until
they sold it in 2005.
Although a "Jack of All Trades " driving tractor trailer trucks was not just a profession it was Red’s
passion for the open highway that made him feel free and adventurous. It came with many
accomplishments, from obtaining a doubles license in 1985 while working as a temp driver for UPS to
working for Skyway Freight Systems in the Spring of 1986. When Skyway began their “Road
Ambassador” program in 1991, he won Best Driver in the Country in 1992. Red tirelessly hauled doubles
trailers from Avon, MA. to Bradley Field, CT. every night, no matter the weather. However, the company
was sold to Union Pacific a few years later and as a result was driven into the ground. It then went out
of business. He then started working for Ron & Billy Nisbet at Blue Jay Transportation until the company
was sold to Rinchem Corp. Red later retired in November of 2008 after suffering from a shoulder injury
while pulling down a frozen shut warehouse door. He was like a lost soul afterward and had often said,
"I hope I die on the job.” He just couldn’t imagine not working but never did again. A true testament of
the man, how much he loved his family, the amount of pride for all he had provided for his family in his
lifetime. How many men truly have the physical stamina and endurance to work at age 76? He was one
of the few.
Red had many hobbies. You could find him riding up and down the Charles in his boat, golfing, and
cooking. Everyone loved his cooking whether it was one of his cheese omelets or his famous sirloin tips
on the grill. You were always in for a treat and his cookouts were well attended. He rarely lost a game of
pool. His love of baseball was immeasurable (he coached the 105 Club Team) and up until his last week
of life all he cared to watch on TV was a Red Sox game, no matter who they played.
Predeceased by his sisters Elaine Tyler, Lorraine O’Dette, and his brother, Henry J. O’Dette.
Red is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Patricia A. (Foran) of Waltham, and his sons, Joseph M.
Foran and wife Lisa (Salmon) of Methuen, MA and Michael J. Adams of Long Branch, NJ. Several
granddaughters, Valerie Foran, Lorraine Foran, and Michelle Foran all of MA and Michelle Lopez and
Jennifer Taylor of NJ. Great grandchildren, Isabelle, Michael, Elizabeth, R.J., Mark, Daniel, and Lauren. His youngest brother, whom he shared a special bond, David O'Dette and his wife Linda of Watertown, MA. His sister-in- law Elin Mastrangelo of Cape Coral. FL, and two brother-in-laws, Alan Foran of Plum City, WI and Julian Rogers of Cedarburg, WI. In addition, he also leaves his prior wife Mary Healy of Norwood, MA., numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather and pay their respects during Visiting Hours Wednesday
September 8th 2021 from 10am to 12pm in The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial
Chapels located 773 Moody Street. Waltham, MA. Followed by a Celebration of Red’s life at 12pm.
Parking attendants will be on staff. Burial will follow at Mt. Feake Cemetery located 203 Prospect St. in
Waltham, MA.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome; however, if you choose to make a memorial
donation in Red’s memory please do so at: Care Dimensions Hospice House Danvers 75 Sylvan Street,
Suite B-102 Danvers, MA.01923.
28 th in Lincoln, MA.
Red was born to the Late Alfred and Bertha (Bennett) O’Dette on September 08, 1932 in Newton, MA.
Alfred learned at an early age the value of a solid education and the importance of perseverance while
spending his early years at St. Joseph’s Parochial and St. Mary’s High School until the 11th grade, later
transferring to Waltham High where he graduated Class of 1950. By age 14 he began working for Frye
Roofing fulltime after school on the night shift to help provide for his siblings. At the time of his dad’s
death in 1953, no stranger to hard work, sacrifice, and mature beyond his years, Red became the co-
head of the family with his mom Bertha. By age 22 Red was married and from this union his son Michael
J. Adams was born. After living in Florida for a year where he sold Life Insurance for John Hancock, he
returned to Waltham in August of 1962 driving trucks for a Highway landscaping company by day and
tending bar at the 105 Club on Moody Street at night, becoming the manager once Benny Graceffa
retired to Bourne, MA. Shortly after, he met his beloved Patricia at the 105. After seeing each other on
a regular basis, they married in Waltham in 1970. Spending their entire married life together, first on
Fern St. until 1987, then to “The Island" where they have a lovely home on the waterfront. In 1983 they
purchased a cottage on Hills Beach in Maine and spent many happy times with family and friends until
they sold it in 2005.
Although a "Jack of All Trades " driving tractor trailer trucks was not just a profession it was Red’s
passion for the open highway that made him feel free and adventurous. It came with many
accomplishments, from obtaining a doubles license in 1985 while working as a temp driver for UPS to
working for Skyway Freight Systems in the Spring of 1986. When Skyway began their “Road
Ambassador” program in 1991, he won Best Driver in the Country in 1992. Red tirelessly hauled doubles
trailers from Avon, MA. to Bradley Field, CT. every night, no matter the weather. However, the company
was sold to Union Pacific a few years later and as a result was driven into the ground. It then went out
of business. He then started working for Ron & Billy Nisbet at Blue Jay Transportation until the company
was sold to Rinchem Corp. Red later retired in November of 2008 after suffering from a shoulder injury
while pulling down a frozen shut warehouse door. He was like a lost soul afterward and had often said,
"I hope I die on the job.” He just couldn’t imagine not working but never did again. A true testament of
the man, how much he loved his family, the amount of pride for all he had provided for his family in his
lifetime. How many men truly have the physical stamina and endurance to work at age 76? He was one
of the few.
Red had many hobbies. You could find him riding up and down the Charles in his boat, golfing, and
cooking. Everyone loved his cooking whether it was one of his cheese omelets or his famous sirloin tips
on the grill. You were always in for a treat and his cookouts were well attended. He rarely lost a game of
pool. His love of baseball was immeasurable (he coached the 105 Club Team) and up until his last week
of life all he cared to watch on TV was a Red Sox game, no matter who they played.
Predeceased by his sisters Elaine Tyler, Lorraine O’Dette, and his brother, Henry J. O’Dette.
Red is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Patricia A. (Foran) of Waltham, and his sons, Joseph M.
Foran and wife Lisa (Salmon) of Methuen, MA and Michael J. Adams of Long Branch, NJ. Several
granddaughters, Valerie Foran, Lorraine Foran, and Michelle Foran all of MA and Michelle Lopez and
Jennifer Taylor of NJ. Great grandchildren, Isabelle, Michael, Elizabeth, R.J., Mark, Daniel, and Lauren. His youngest brother, whom he shared a special bond, David O'Dette and his wife Linda of Watertown, MA. His sister-in- law Elin Mastrangelo of Cape Coral. FL, and two brother-in-laws, Alan Foran of Plum City, WI and Julian Rogers of Cedarburg, WI. In addition, he also leaves his prior wife Mary Healy of Norwood, MA., numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather and pay their respects during Visiting Hours Wednesday
September 8th 2021 from 10am to 12pm in The Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco and Sons Memorial
Chapels located 773 Moody Street. Waltham, MA. Followed by a Celebration of Red’s life at 12pm.
Parking attendants will be on staff. Burial will follow at Mt. Feake Cemetery located 203 Prospect St. in
Waltham, MA.
As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome; however, if you choose to make a memorial
donation in Red’s memory please do so at: Care Dimensions Hospice House Danvers 75 Sylvan Street,
Suite B-102 Danvers, MA.01923.