Mayor's Stepdad Dies from COVID-19

Greg O’Donnell, the stepfather of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, died last Sunday from complications of COVID-19. He was 58.

The death comes two weeks after Garcia’s mother, Gaby O’Donnell, 61, also succumbed to complications from the highly contagious coronavirus.

Garcia, 42, said in a statement: “We are incredibly saddened to share that my stepfather, Greg O’Donnell, has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. It’s a heartbreaking loss for our entire family, especially for my brother Jake.

“Greg was a kind and good-hearted man, an amazing father and grandfather and the best husband our mom could have ever hoped for. He worked hard for his family and started his own successful small business as a contractor with his brothers. Our mom Gaby and Greg were married for 27 years and he lived a happy life.

“Jake and I want to thank the heroic nurses and doctors who cared for him in his last days. My brother posted the following and I completely agree:

‘As my family is just broken with the loss of my parents – I find comfort in knowing that they are together again – free of any pain or suffering.’”

Greg O’Donnell died one day after wife Gaby O’Donnell’s memorial service.

The couple was married in 1993 and had a son, Jacob O’Donnell.

Gaby and her former husband – Garcia’s father – immigrated to the United States from Lima, Peru in 1982 with Garcia and Gaby’s mother Frida.

Gaby worked in a thrift store, did housecleaning and other jobs before going into healthcare, it was reported.

The Gaby Elena O’Donnell Scholarship was set up to support healthcare students at Long Beach State.

The fundraiser’s website csulb.scalefunder.com, says, “For almost 30 years she worked as a secretary and medical assistant. She cared for thousands of patients over her lifetime. It was her life’s work to support nurses, doctors and medical personnel.”

The website continues, “While Gaby was never able to attend college, she always said that her greatest accomplishment was seeing both of her sons graduate from California State University, Long Beach.”

As of Monday, $35,880 was raised toward the $50,000 goal.

For those interested in donating, checks made payable to CSULB 49er Foundation can be mailed to the CSULB 49er Foundation: 6300 E. State University Drive, Suite 332, Long Beach, CA 90815.

Telephone donations are available via (562) 985-8475.

If more than $150,000 is raised, the scholarship will become eligible for permanent endowment, according to the website.

kirt@beachcomber.news