Gerald "Jerry" M. O'Brien

Gerald M. O’Brien (Jerry) of Arlington, VA, at age 79, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2022. Devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather & father-in-law, Jerry is survived by his wife Patricia, his two children Elizabeth Dromerick (Christopher) and Gerald O’Brien Jr. (Kimberly), his five grandchildren, Laura and Bridget Dromerick, Payton, Kylee and Will O’Brien, and his brother Russel O’Brien. Jerry grew up in Arlington’s Lyon Village neighborhood and attended Gonzaga College High School and Washington & Lee High School. He met Patricia in 7th grade at St. Charles. Their love lasted 69 years and they were to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in February 2023. Jerry began his career in 1961 at one of the area’s oldest and most esteemed engineering firms, General Engineering Associates, originally founded by Morris Shapiro in 1946. Under Morris’ mentorship, Jerry progressed from draftsman, through design and project engineer, to partner. In 1987, Morris and Jerry renamed the company Shapiro-O’Brien & Associates and Jerry became President. Over his 44 year career, Jerry developed a notable rapport and reputation with prominent developers and architects in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He was most proud of the innovative mechanical engineering designs for the the historic renovations of the Willard Hotel, the British Embassy, Garfinkles into Hamilton Square, and Alban Towers Apartments, as well as, the base building design for the Crystal City residential, office and retail complex. After a successful career and merging his company with Metropolitan Engineering, Inc., Jerry retired from MEI/SO in March 2005 to enjoy his other life pursuits. His professional path was a true success story of which we were all proud. Jerry loved spending time with his forever cherished Pat and his family. Affectionately known as “Pops” by his grandchildren, he was quick to make them smile or laugh and always took an avid interest in their lives. He loved tinkering in his garage, working in the yard and garden with Pat, general “projects” and being our handyman. And he loved his “breaks” sitting on the patio admiring their work and watching the birds in the birdbath. His warmth, humor and affection will be dearly missed and his memory will always be a blessing. Private interment will be held at Mount Olivet Cemetery in July.