“A gentleman,” “a man of faith” and “a mate with a winning smile.”
These were only some of the words used to describe the chairman of Bowra and O’Dea Funeral Directors, Joe O’Dea, who passed away last Saturday, 15 November 2014, at the age of 83.
Mr O’Dea remained heavily involved in the fourth-generation family business until becoming ill this month. He was a leading funeral director in Western Australia and was regarded as one of the state’s most successful business operators, beginning his involvement in the company at the young age of 16.
Australian Funeral Directors Association WA division president Adrian Barrett paid tribute to the work of Mr O’Dea in The West Australian this week, commenting that the death of this “strong and passionate leader of the industry” had marked “the end of an era” and that he had “created a lasting legacy”.
Mr O’Dea was one of only two West Australians to be honoured as a national life member of the association. He leaves what is now the biggest Australian private funeral company in the hands of his children and grandchildren.
“We now have the fourth and fifth generations following in his footsteps and we look forward to continuing his life-long work. We miss him enormously,” the family said.
Mr O’Dea was also a devout Catholic and seldom failed to attend morning Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth, where he assisted with the Sunday service for many years and where he will undoubtedly be missed.
Bowra and O’Dea is now led by one of Mr O’Dea’s sons, Joe O’Dea junior.
With The West Australian