Mathew O'Brien

He and his wife Tessie (his “Rose of Tralee”), were both born and raised in Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland where they became childhood sweethearts. They later married in England and came to this country in 1951. They settled in Lynn on Pine Hill, where they raised their two daughters. Mathew was a member of His Majesty’s Royal Air Force during WWII serving primarily in South Africa. For many years he worked for the Lynn Housing Authority and was a member of the painter’s union.

He took up skiing at the age of 50 and skied well into his 70’s on the slopes of NH, where he bought a home in Conway and lived there for 20 years. He loved New Hampshire, as the mountains reminded him of Ireland. His home was always open to friends from near and far. When he wasn’t skiing, he was golfing. He loved a good meal, and would often take his 3 grandsons for seafood feasts in Essex, Ma - where he would eat all of them under the table. He was an avid theater buff and his favorite productions were Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. One of his passions was listening to the great Irish Tenors - the louder the better.

Matty O was a grateful friend of Bill W. for the past 52 years. His passion was helping the “newcomers” and he made many lifelong friends along the way. He was witty and stubborn, and loved to tell stories to anyone who would listen, and he loved to entertain friends and family with his old Irish accordion. He will be remembered for his trademark ”yodel, his humor, his penchant for practical jokes, and his love of Jelly Donuts.”

He was the son of the late Matthew and Mary (Sullivan) O’Brien. He was predeceased by 6 sisters and 1 brother: Johannah (Han) Gaudet, John O’Brien, Deborah (Dora) O’Brien, Mary Christine Cochrane, Julia (Julie) Keown, Katherine (Kitty) Hiscox and Ellen (Nellie) Brosnan.

Mathew is survived by his daughter Margaret Bishop and her husband John of Lynn, four grandchildren Sean Bishop of Pasadena CA; Mathew Bishop of Gastonia, NC; Molly (Bishop) Ramsay of Lynn, Quinn (Spagnoli) Condon of Danvers; and five great-grandchildren, Chloe and Kenley Bishop of Gastonia, NC; Christopher and Milo Condon of Danvers, and Olivia Ramsay of Lynn.

He was also the father of the late Maureen Spagnoli, and grandfather of the late Christopher Spagnoli. He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held on Saturday at 9 AM from the Cuffe-McGinn Funeral Home 157 Maple Street, Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass in St. Pius V Church, Lynn at 10 AM. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Visiting hours Friday 5-8 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to Pine Hill Civic Association (Christopher Spagnoli Scholarship Fund) C/O Betty Polonsky 46 Everett St, Lynn, MA 01904.