O’Brien, Patrick Joseph, 83, of Arlington, formerly of Miltown Malbey, County Claire Ireland died Sunday, August 19, 2012.
Mr. O’Brien accomplished everything he set his mind to do through hard work, perseverance, kindness, and humor. At a young age, he quarried stone to build a large, needed wall around his family’s farm in Ireland. As a young émigré from Ireland, Mr. O’Brien served in 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during the Korean War, rising to the rank of Corporal and earning the Bronze Star. In recognition of his service, the United States granted him citizenship in 1953.
When he returned home to Boston he met his wife, Joan Reilly. Over their 58 years together, they raised four children: Patricia (D’Antonio), Richard, Kevin, and Caroline. Mr. O’Brien worked multiple jobs to enable his children to finish college and earn advanced degrees from Boston College, Harvard, and University of Pennsylvania. Mr. O’Brien loved telling others his two daughters and two sons were two doctors and two lawyers.
As the years went by, it was his grandchildren, Frank (D’Antonio), Courtney, Matthew, Jay, Allison, and Elizabeth, that delighted Mr. O’Brien. Retiring at 62, after 35 years employed by a local gas company, Mr. O’Brien spent the next 23 years nurturing them. He often remarked to others that his grandchildren did not require as much work as his children because they were perfect. In addtion to his wife, children and grandchildren, Mr. O’Brien is survived by son­-­in-law Joseph D’Antonio, and daughters-in-law Pamela O’Brien and Rosa Crum. Funeral from Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut St., (Rt. 60, adjacent to St. Agnes Church) Arlington on Wednesday August 22, at 9:00 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 68 Cardinal O’Connell Way, Boston (West End) at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 7-9 PM. Interment will be private. www.keefefuneralhome.com