Patrick Joseph O'Brien

Patrick J O’Brien of Harwich, passed away at the age of 88 on April 30th 2022. Patrick is survived by his loving brothers, Sean O’Brien and James O’Brien; and his twin sisters, Bridget McNamara and Mary Maron.

Patrick was born on December 8th 1933 in Lavalley, Ballintorgher, Co. Sligo, Ireland to his parents, John and Delia O’Brien. He was the oldest of 7 children. He came to the United States in July 1957 to Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY - AKA “The Irish Rivera”. He became employed by TWA and worked the afternoon shift. He spent his mornings playing handball and swimming in the ocean. He met his beloved wife, “Kay” O’Neil,l and they wed in 1965. The newlyweds loved to spend their days entertaining people, Kay the singer, and Pat the accordion player. Pat retired in 1983 and found his second home in Harwich, MA. Here he joined various associations including the Knights of Columbus, Cape Cod Veterans, and the Franciscans. He was a religious man and spent many nights praying in the Holy Trinity Church Adoration Chapel. It was also in Harwich where he thrived playing his accordion in Irish music sessions all around the Cape. It was hard to find an Irish pub where they did not know Pat O’Brien. He loved meeting new people and telling stories of his past days as a solider in the Irish-American Army and the US Army. It was very rare to see a sad face around Pat, as he always knew how to make someone laugh or smile.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Patrick J and Delia O’Brien; his wife “Kay O’Brien”; and his brothers Eugene and Thomas O’Brien. He will be dearly missed by his brothers and sisters, and his many nieces and nephews in New York, Massachusetts, Ireland, and England. Additionally, all of his close friends who were like family here on Cape Cod. We know he was greeted by his family at the gates of heaven with his accordion in hand ready to play for all the angels to hear.

Visitation will take place at the Doane, Beal, & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main St.(Rt. 28), West Harwich, on Friday, May 13, 2022 from 4-6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 10:00 AM in Holy Trinity Church, 246 Main St.(Rt. 28), West Harwich. Burial will be private.