Patrick Francis O'Brien

Patrick Francis O'Brien passed away peacefully in his sleep on the night of July 9, 2016 at his home from complications of prostate cancer. At 90 years of age, Pat had seen many changes, and had participated in many momentous events that shaped our world. Beginning with his participation at the age of 17 in the Pacific Theater of World War II, where he served as a Navy radioman both in Guam and Okinawa. After the war, he attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, PA, graduating in 1949, the same year that he married Anne Egan O'Brien. Together they had seven children, six of whom-Pat Jr. (Helen), Michael (Allyson), Jimmy (Lupe), Kevin (Noreen), Joey, and Mary Anne(Craig Stevener)- survive. The youngest, Danny (Kelly), died in 2008.

Pat Began his business career as an accountant for a private firm, then was hired by the Internal Revenue Service in the mid-1950's to do investigative work, first in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA, and later in 1960, in the IRS's Washington, DC, office. In the mid-1960's, he began working as an accountant for NASA and was with the space agency during it's most celebrated moments, including the first manned lunar landing.

In 1979 Pat retired from government service and began a successful second career in the real estate business in Northern Virginia, working for a variety of firms including the ReMax Presidential group. He retired from real estate in the year 2000.

Pat's wife, Anne, Died in 1993. In addition, Audrey Ullman, Pat's companion of 10 years, died in 2005. Besides his children, Pat is survived by 20 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Chesapeake, VA where Pat made his home during the past three years. His remains will be transferred to Northern Virginia where the Mass of Christian burial will be held at the family's parish church, The Cathedral of St. Thomas More, on Friday, July 15th at 1:30 PM. in Arlington, Virginia.

Since one of Pat's great-grandsons, Dawson O'Brien, was recently diagnosed with a rare bone disorder called Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE), the family asks that contribution be made to the MHE Research Foundation, 149 16th Rd. Whitestone, NY 11357, in lieu of flowers.

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