Obituary of Gavin L. O'Dell

CANISTEO: Gavin L. O’Dell, 18, passed away early Saturday morning, November 8, 2025 in the town of Wellsville as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Gavin was born February 16, 2007 in Hornell to Anna (Smith) O’Dell and Kenneth O’Dell. He was a member of the Canisteo-Greenwood Central School class of 2025. He loved basketball, football and music enjoyed cooking and cherished time spent with his younger siblings. After graduation, Gavin was employed at Arby’s Restaurant in Dansville. His future aspiration was to join the US Marines, with a life-long goal of becoming a police officer or entrepreneur. He was a devoted Buffalo Bills fan who loved attending games with his family and sharing moments watching the games with his Grandfather Elmer and Uncle Jeremey, and ultimately dreaming of playing on that football field someday. Gavin is survived by his mother Anna O’Dell of Canisteo, his father Kenneth O’Dell of New Smyrna Beach, FL.; siblings Lucas and Emma O’Dell, Jaymes McMichael and Kenna’faye Smith. His maternal grandparents Elmer and Kathleen Smith, great grandmother Jennifer Smith and grandfather John Baumgarten. His maternal aunts and uncles, Erica (Keith) Manry, Jeremey (Desiree) Smith, Barbara Smith and Riley Smith, paternal grandparents; Arlene and Lewis O’Dell; aunts and uncles, Chris (Julie) O’Dell, Michael O’Dell, Deana Amlott, Andrea (Jerome) Bryant and Hollie Lorow, several aunts, uncles and cousins. Gavin was blessed with Godparents Jessie Gardner and Greg Boccia. He was predeceased by his great grandparents Nana and Papa Watson, Aunts Kelsey and Annie and uncles Kenny Smith and Jim Congdon, cousins Issac, Joleene and Joey. Gavin will be remembered for his kind heart, humor and joy he brought to everyone. Known for his warm hugs and “dab-ups”, he will forever be in our hearts. The family will receive friends from 3-5 pm on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo where funeral and committal services will take place immediately following calling hours at 5:00 pm, with Reverends Mathew and Jeanette Sassano and Chaplin Lieutenant Colonel Keith Manry officiating. A time of fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Hornell VFW. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to either CASA-Trinity, 86 River St. Hornell, NY 14843 or to Fresh Start Church, 34 Maple St. Hornell, NY 14843, to support their food and clothing ministries. Gavin was deeply grateful for the support these organizations provided. Arrangements are in care of H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.