John O'Donnell

I was born, brought up and lived in Port Glasgow for 27 years before moving to Glasgow. After having lived in Glasgow for 22 years, I finally moved to Ayrshire in 2018 and have lived in Symington for the last six and a half years with my partner Roddy.

I am passionate about fairness, equality and being kind to others. I was a football referee for 18 years so my passion for that can often be seen in how I respond to situations that develop, now captured on television.

My background was originally in finance but after studying Social Work at the University of Stirling, I graduated in 2007 and worked in the field of Social Work and Social Care for 18 years, specialising in children and families, particularly those affected by disability. Feeling that my life was moving in a different direction, I took the plunge, left and have been working for a national funeral directors since March 2025. I have been a volunteer visitor with Victim Support Scotland since 2003 and understand and appreciate the importance of offering that helping hand at some of the most challenging times in your life. Part of that is about being there and supporting you when someone close to you has died and ensuring that the wholeness and the greatness of their life is captured and reflected in a service for which they will be remembered and I am passionate about getting it right for you.

I have a caring, loving and supportive nature and am skilled at guiding you through the details that you would want your loved one to be remembered by. A combination of music, poetry, scripture and hymns, as well as sparkling, meaningful and insightful reflections, together with photos as well as quirkiness and fun, I am here to guide you to the creation of an uplifting, thought-provoking, poignant and life-affirming celebration of your loved one which will not be forgotten. I very much look forward to passionately creating memories that will live on in your heart and the hearts of those affected by the death of your loved one.

I am here to be that source of strength and compassion that you can rely on and need. To be the one to support you through that final journey that your loved one is on, to help them arrive at their final destination and to lift you up so that you see that the sun will still rise tomorrow morning.

My professional life and voluntary work has put me in a unique position to be able to respond to what you need and to do so with love, warmth and affection. Please contact me today to talk this through. No matter what your circumstances and background are, I guarantee you a warm and welcoming greeting, of treating you with the utmost respect, and working with and supporting you through the loss of your loved one. 

Please be welcome to give me a call.

John