William Daniel O'Brien

William Daniel O’Brien, 85 years old, passed away on Saturday, the 2nd of April 2016 in Jupiter, Florida. Born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, New York, Bill was a seasonal resident of Jupiter, Florida, Westhampton Beach, New York and Houston, Texas. He was a graduate of Xavier High School in Manhattan, New York in 1948 where he played both varsity basketball and baseball. Bill graduated from Villanova University with Honors while playing varsity baseball. He then earned a scholarship to Columbia Law School in New York City where he graduated in 1955 and a Master’s Degree in Law from NYU.

After a short time in public accounting at Arthur Young & Company, and then with Beekman & Bogue Law Firm, Bill joined Exxon Corporation's Tax Department. His career took Bill and his family from New Jersey to Tripoli, Libya for three years, then back to New Jersey, on to Houston, TX, back to NJ and finally to Dallas, TX where he finished his Career as Vice President & General Tax Counsel of Exxon Corporation. He was a beloved leader.

Here is a quote from Bill, "My proudest moments are our family reunions in Westhampton Beach, watching our five children mature into outstanding human beings and above all, the day Sheila and I were married." He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary O’Brien, Aunt Margaret Scott and brother Robert O’Brien.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sheila Flaherty O’Brien, who adored him with all of her heart; his devoted sister Mary Jean O’Brien; his children, who were his greatest joy: Cathy Douglas and husband Larry, Bill O’Brien and wife Karyn, Scott O’Brien and wife Linda, Elizabeth O’Brien and husband Jacob Brown, and Carolyn Foley and husband Jamie; his grandchildren Kristen Douglas, Megan Douglas, Michael O’Brien, Josh O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Jonathon O’Brien, Caitlyn Foley, Charlie Foley and Teddy Foley.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past five o’clock in the afternoon until half-past eight o’clock in the evening on Tuesday, the 12th of April, at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the prayer service is to commence at half-past six o’clock and sharing of remembrances will follow.

The Funeral Mass is to be offered at ten o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 13th of April, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1701 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Msgr. Frank H. Rossi, is to serve as celebrant. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Parish Life Center.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Xavier High School, 30 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011 www.xavierhs.org