Conor Michael O'Brien

Conor Michael O’Brien—a native Cape Codder, Nauset High School graduate, and graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence with a degree in sports events management—passed away Sunday from complications of a seizure. He was 33, the youngest of three siblings.

Our hearts are broken, but we are at peace in the belief that Conor is in Heaven with the Lord and free of his struggles.

Conor was named after Conor Larkin, the larger-than-life lead character in Leon Uris best-selling novel “Trinity.” His middle name Michael was named after Michael the Archangel, the leader of Heavenly hosts. Conor wore the names well in good times and in times of difficulties.

He loved deeply and was deeply loved.

A great athlete, with characteristic Irish wit and humor, Conor was a big Boston sports fan—the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. He was charismatic in his own way and had an engaging smile. He loved boating and golf—always trying to improve his game, a lost cause for most of us.

Conor in life carried others at times, and others carried him.

Upon graduation from Johnson & Wales, Conor went to work with his father in his publishing and communication business. Over the years, Conor did book and magazine research and some writing. He also accompanied his father on speaking engagements across the country, and at times spoke upon request to audiences of 500 to 1,000. He also contributed to interviews with national media—both television and print, as well as appearing in the Alzheimer’ documentary “Have You Heard About Greg?”

In addition, he did research and writing for Peritus Marking in San Diego.

Conor is survived by his mother Mary Catherine and father Greg of Brewster, his brother Brendan, sister-in-law Laken, sister Colleen and her husband Matt, nieces Adeline and Lucy, nephew Timmy, and scores of first and second cousins across the country.

A Memorial Service will be held August 24 at 11:00 am at Brewster Baptist Church. Burial will be at the Brewster Lower Road Cemetery.

As essayist Washington Irving once wrote, “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.”

Conor now lives on in power, in the palm of God’s hands. Three days after his passing, a commanding wind roared through Paine’s Creek Beach in Brewster—a biblical sign of new birth as Jesus says to Nicodemus (John 3.8): “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Later that day Conor’s Aunt Lauren saw a beautiful rainbow when she was thinking of him. A rainbow is a sign of God’s covenant with all creation and God’s care for all of us, that we are not left to face our perils or heartaches alone.

Greg O'Brien