Oscar John Maria O'Dea (1912 - 1992)

Born 4 Jan 1912 in Valletta, Malta

Died 24 Jan 1992 at age 80 in Ridge, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Tim Partridge [send private message]

Biography

Was born in Valletta, Malta at 7pm on 4th January 1912 Oscar Maria O'Dea. (His "to be called name". His full given names are Oscar Maria Michele Angelo Lia Giovanni Domenico.)^[1] His father is listed as Alfredo O'Dea, profession Trafficante [Dealer], age 21 born Valletta, residence Valletta, father Micheal (vivo). His mother is listed as Maria moglie del detto [wife of the said] Alfredo O'Dea, profession Casalinga [Housewife], age 22 born Vittoriosa, residence Valletta, father Salvatore Oscar Fenesh (vivo) [this seems to be a mistake, as her father died before she was born according to her birth certificate]. The person making the declaration is il padre [the father]. Witnesses are Achille Farrugia, Copista [Copyist] age 56, born and resident Valletta, father Paolo (morto) and Carmelo Debono, Messaggiere [Messenger] age 61 born Valletta, residence Hamrun father Giovanni (morto).

Changed his name to Oscar John O'Dea on immigration to United States. He arrived 29th July 1929 using the name Oscar Maria O'Dea.^[2]

Appears in 1930 US census as a lodger in the Deiacono household (originally from Malta) at 833 Plum, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, USA. He is age 17, Single, occupation none.^[3] Also present is Alfred O'Dea, age 39, presumably his father.

On the 20th September 1934 Oscar married Muriel A[gnes] Richards in Queens, New York.^[4]. Oscar's parents are Alfred and Mary (maiden name Fenech). Muriel's parents are Frederick and Theresa M (maiden name Donovan).

Appears in 1940 US census married to Muriel with three children and his brother-in-law Fred Richards at 69-29, 60th Avenue, New York, Queens, New York.^[5] Unexpectedly his birthplace for himself and his parents is given as New York. In the Supplementary questions he gives his occupation as a Sheet Metal worker in the Aviation industry.

In 1950 he has five children and his birth place is given as Malta.^[6]

With the coming of the Second World War, Oscar joined up on October 16th, 1940. ^[7] From his draft card we learn he is age 28, born 1 12 12 (sic) [month day year] in Malta, England (sic). The person who will always know his address is his wife Mrs Muriel Agnes O'Dea, 69-29 60 Ave., Maspeth, Queens, NY. His employer is the Brewster Aeronautical Corp, Long Island City, Queens, NY. His physical description is white, 5' 6", 139 pounds, blue eyes, brown hair and a light complexion.

Later arrival at New York 30th July 1958 using name Oscar J O'Dea saying he was born 1-4-12 at Valletta Malta.^[8]

Died 24th January 1992 Ridge, Brookhaven, Suffolk, New York, United States^[9]

Buried 28th January 1992 Calverton National Cemetery, 210 Princeton Boulevard Rt 25 Calverton, NY 11933.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth certificate Progressive number of the inscription 161 in public Registry Office, Valletta, Malta, dated 9 Gennaro 1912. Copy held by Partridge-1753.
2. ↑ Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Line: 24; Page Number: 82 Ancestry Record 7488 #2006508747
3. ↑ Year: 1930; Census Place: Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 0091; FHL microfilm: 2340769 Ancestry Record 6224 #12596210
4. ↑ Transcription of record by Family Search Film number 001905852 [1]
5. ↑ 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census". Year: 1940; Census Place: New York, Queens, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02726; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 41-305. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2442 #8158243. Oscar O'Dea (28), married, Sheet-metal Worker, head of household in New York, Queens, New York. Born in New York.
6. ↑ 1950 Census: "1950 United States Federal Census". United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: New York, Queens, New York; Roll: 2094; Sheet Number: 2; Enumeration District: 41-405. Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 62308 #288454848. Oscar J O'Dea (38), married head of household in New York, Queens, New York, USA. Born in Malta.
7. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Name Range: Moraski, Walter-Rich, Howard. Ancestry Record 2238 #194215969
8. ↑ The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Washington, D.C.; NAI Number: 2848504; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: 85; Series Number: A3998; NARA Roll Number: 73 Ancestry Record 1277 #6741347
9. ↑ Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 2441 #12465314
10. ↑ National Cemetery Administration; U.S. Veterans' Gravesites Ancestry Record 8750 #2283499

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1042379/oscar-john-o'dea