Walking or driving through the Marple Newtown area, you’ll likely see an O’Donnell Roofing Co. yard sign at one of your neighbor’s homes. Chances are when you talk to that neighbor, they’ll share the wonderful experience that they had working with them. The high-quality craftsmanship, honesty and fair prices are some of the many reasons why they’ve been around for almost 100 years!
O’Donnell Roofing Co.’s reputation for professionalism and dependability goes back four generations and nearly a century. Owner Kevin O’Donnell’s great-grandfather Clement Aloysius (C.A.) O’Donnell founded the company in West Philadelphia in 1924. C.A. was taught the roofing trade and started doing small repairs and installing new roofs with a roofing and sheet metal company in Philadelphia. His ambition led him to become a skilled roofing mechanic and entrepreneur. Back then C.A. didn’t just focus on roofing, but provided a number of other services to their customers. During the winter season, he serviced oil burners and he also owned a metal shop where they fabricated roofing and heating materials.
Since the 1920s, both the roofing industry and the O’Donnell family business have seen significant changes. In the 1950s Kevin’s grandfather, Clement Aloysius Jr., took the reins from his father and maintained the company’s values for nearly 30 years. He explored newer options in roofing and siding as a more cost-effective way to meet client’s needs and expanded the company’s service to the Philadelphia suburbs. Then in the 1980s, Kevin’s father Laurence (Larry) took on the executive management role. Larry renamed and incorporated O’Donnell Roofing Co. and expanded services to include commercial roofing and historic restoration. Several of Larry’s restoration projects garnered attention, including projects at Longwood Gardens, Merion train station and Pomona Hall in Camden, among others. “My dad’s work became the premier standard for custom metal and restoration roofing in the area,” said Kevin.
Kevin was 12 years old when he began working with his dad and learning the business. He attributes that time spent with his dad for his strong work ethic. After graduating from Haverford High School, Kevin moved to Vermont to study Business Administration Management at the Community College of Vermont. During his college years, Kevin enjoyed running a deli and skiing as much as he could. But, ultimately he knew he’d want to return to Pennsylvania and made the decision to move back to Havertown to work with his dad again.
Kevin quickly became a journeyman roofer and job site foreman. A few years later, he began focusing on sales and the growth of the business. Larry eventually passed the torch to Kevin who took on full ownership of the company in 2017. The company has been growing rapidly ever since, going from five employees to 100+. Larry continues to be a project manager, focusing on quality control, troubleshooting leaks and providing ongoing training to their installers and estimators.
O’Donnell Roofing Co.’s training and production hub is located in Upper Darby and they recently opened up a Berwyn location for offices and a showroom. In addition to residential and commercial roofing services, O’Donnell Roofing Co. also offers siding and gutter installation, solar panels and many other custom home exterior options.
Kevin said that not only are their staff experts when it comes to installation, but they are all hard-working and dependable. “From the sales staff, the managers to the roofing mechanics and installers, they’re happy and motivated and that holds a lot of weight,” he said.
In addition to being a valued Sponsor in Marple Friends & Neighbors, Kevin and his team actively volunteer with and donate to our local sports teams, our community and charity organizations. “We appreciate the strength of our community, and we wouldn’t be who we are without our customers,” said Kevin. Matthew’s Moonlight Foundation and Unite for HER (Breast Cancer Awareness) are just a couple of the charitable organizations O’Donnell has teamed up with recently. This past summer O’Donnell Roofing donated a new roof to the Marple Township Little League (MTLL) whose shed had irreparable damage. “We take pride in giving back to the community,” said Kevin. “Only the best for MTLL!”
For the second year in a row, O’Donnell Roofing Co. is supporting the Delco Group and Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation for their annual Holiday Toy Drive. Lindsey Pierangeli, Director of Business Development for O’Donnell Roofing, said that this holiday season, the company’s goal is to donate $1,000 worth of toys to the local Sassy Massey Toy Drive. “For every estimate we send out in November, we will donate $10 towards the toy drive fund and we will be collecting toys from the community too,” she explained. Lindsey said that last year was a huge success and they were able to collect 157 toys, filling up two of their trucks. “We are thankful to Sassy Massey Smiles for coordinating the toy drive and the event, and we’re looking forward to participating again this year on December 15.”
Each year, the Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation delivers tens of thousands of toys to children in our area who are in hospitals. The charity was founded in the name of the late Jillian Massey who passed away at age five after battling brain cancer. Last year, the drive collected toys for 16 hospitals, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital.
The Delco Group, a charitable organization of eleven men, all residents of Delaware County, has been helping to collect and deliver the toys for the Sassy Massey Toy Drive since 2019. “It’s because of The Delco Group and the many local businesses that we’ve been able to bring joy to so many children at Christmas,” said Dan Emmerson, treasurer for Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation.
Dan, a close friend of Jillian’s mom, first got involved in the foundation through the toy drive. Inspired by Jillian’s infectious smile and great attitude that got her through her rougher days while battling cancer, Dan wanted to help spread that smile to other children in hopes of helping ease their tougher times. “The idea to bring 50-100 toys to Jillian’s friends on the Oncology floor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia grew to unbelievable heights quickly,” he said. “The generosity of businesses like O’Donnell Roofing Co. allows us to purchase even more toys with the proceeds from our events. Kevin and his team donate more toys now than our entire goal the first year. They’ve really become part of our foundation family.”
It’s that commitment to both customers and the community that has kept O’Donnell Roofing Co. in business for nearly 100 years. Over the past century, their mission to provide quality roofing services to their customers in a timely and professional manner hasn’t changed. Whether you are building a new house or renovating your current home, the exterior home will boost your curb appeal and show off your style. Call O’Donnell Roofing Co. at 610-624-8112 or visit their website at www.OdonnellRoofingCo.com for a free estimate on any of their services. For more information about Sassy Massey Smiles Foundation, visit www.SassyMassey.org or their Facebook page.