Page 51 - The History of Watertown Savings Bank_Neat
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D. William O’Donnell, who served as In 1945, he was discharged from the military
Watertown Savings Bank president from 1965 to and returned to the private NYC banking
D. William O’Donnell 1976, was a New York City native. He initially business. He later took a position with the South
Watertown Savings Bank found his way to Watertown through military Shore Bank of Staten Island, where he remained
service at Fort Drum (known as Camp Drum at
for eight years.
President the time). Mr. O’Donnell eventually decided to relocate
1965 - 1976 It was under his leadership that the Watertown to Upstate New York, accepting a position as
Savings Bank opened its first branch in the assistant cashier manager of the North Syracuse
Northland Plaza in 1963. branch of the Cicero State Bank in 1954. He
Bank officials said Mr. O’Donnell had a strong remained with that bank until 1957, when he
desire for Watertown Savings Bank to be the first joined the staff of Watertown Savings Bank as
savings bank in Northern New York to open a vice president.
branch office after state legislation was passed In 1959, Mr. O’Donnell was elected a trustee of
allowing these types of banks to expand. Watertown Savings Bank to fill the vacancy created
He had graduated from high school on Staten by the death of retired WSB president Jacob Amos.
Island and attended Fordham University in New Mr. O’Donnell became the bank’s president in
York City. After a year of college, he entered the 1965, and was later elected to hold a second post as
private banking business with the firm of Brown chairman of the WSB board of trustees.
Brothers & Harriman in 1937. Mr. O’Donnell also served as chairman of
Mr. O’Donnell served in a number of positions the Jefferson County Industrial Development
with that firm until he entered the army in 1941, Campaign, and was a member of the Carthage
joining the 45th Infantry Division. He traveled to Central School District Board of Education and
Camp Drum for training before being deployed the Watertown Chamber of Commerce Board of
for overseas missions, where he served in North Directors.
Africa, Sicily, Italy, as well as other sections of the He passed away in 1987 at the age of 68.
European theater.
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