Francis J. O'Brien

Francis J. O'Brien, 97, of Springfield, passed away at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2001 at his residence. Mr. O'Brien was born August 29, 1903 the son of Charles A. and Katherine Hasenauer O'Brien in Wheeling, West Virginia. He married Mary Margaret Ziegler August 21, 1935 at St. Vincent's Arch Abby. She preceded him in death in 1996. Mr. O'Brien started his career with Franklin Life Insurance Company in 1940. A graduate of St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA. he studied advertising and marketing at the graduate school of New York University. In 1962 he received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from his Alma Mater. He was elected Franklin Vice President in 1947 and a member of the Board of Directors in 1950. He started the Multi-Millionaire Club at Franklin and received numerous awards of excellence for the Franklin Field of Franklin Life Insurance Company. Mr. O'Brien commissioned the statue of Benjamin Franklin that sits in front of Franklin Life Insurance Company. He was instrumental in purchasing and bringing to Springfield the first privately owned computer with Franklin Life Insurance Company. He started his writing career with St. Vincent's College Journals. He authored, The Fabulous Franklin Story and Europe as We Saw It, with his wife Peggy. He was a member of Who's Who in America and Who's Who in Insurance. Mr. O’Brien at his retirement from Franklin Life Insurance Company, was the most ''Decorated'' member in his field. He had won virtually every honor that the Industry can bestow. Most prominent among them is the Printers Ink Silver Medal Award given to advertising's ''Man of the Year” Through out the Insurance Industry he was best known for his O'B Ads. Mr. O'Brien was a board member at numerous organizations, including, the YMCA, Ursuline Academy, Sacred Heart Griffin and the Cathedral Boys High School Parent Association. He was a member and past president of the Sons of Erin, Abraham Lincoln Association, Lincoln Library and the Springfield Rotary Club where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Among many awards received by Mr. O'Brien was election to the Junior Chamber of Commerce ''Hall of Fame'' in 1957 and the Outstanding Citizen Award from the United Community Services He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #364, a member of Bishop Griffin General Assembly Knights of Columbus, a member of Sangamo Club, a long time member of the Island Bay Yacht Club. The Chamber of Commerce Springfield Advertising Club, Springfield Municipal Opera, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the State Chamber of Commerce. He was a trustee with the Springfield Junior College, a Director of the Muni Opera. He was chairman of the Christmas Seals and chairman for Tuberculosis Association and the American Red Cross. He was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Helen Ullon. He is survived by two sons: Charles F. (wife, Elaine) O’Brien of Cherry Hill, NJ, Thomas J. (wife, Dee) O’Brien of Springfield; one daughter Peggy (husband, Seamus Smith) O’Brien-Murphy of Seattle, WA; seven grandchildren: Chris, Cathy and Tom O’Brien of Cherry Hill, NJ, Kathleen, Ryan and Patrick Murphy of Seattle, WA Kaelen (husband, David) Aramaki of Seattle, WA. Friends may call at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home from 5-8:00 p.m., Monday, August, 13, 2001 with a wake service at 5:00 p.m. Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2001 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Reverend’s Kevin Vann and Bill Kessler. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Care Center of Springfield, 400 N. 9th, St Springfield, IL 62702. The family of Francis J. O’Brien is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th, St, Springfield