Donald M. O'Brien

Donald O'Brien Obituary

AURORA < Donald M. O"Brien, 80, of Route 90, Aurora, died Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008, in Auburn Memorial Hospital. Mr. O"Brien was born in Philadelphia, Pa., the son of the late Jeremiah Francis and Lettie Derk O"Brien, and has resided in Aurora since 1987. Prior to that he resided in Manhattan and Franklin Lakes, N.J. He served in the US. Marine Corps at the close of WWII. Mr. O"Brien began a long and successful career in fashion and merchandising at Robinson, Strawbridge and Clothier of Philadelphia. He later joined Bonwit Teller, the internationally known department store as vice president of merchandising. While at Bonwit Teller, he had the distinction of being one of the first people in the fashion industry to recognize the fashion design talents of Calvin Klein who influenced women"s fashion for the next 30 years. After leaving Bonwit Teller, he and his late wife, Sandra, owned and managed Cooke & Gardiner clothing store in Franklin Lakes, N.J. In 1987 the O"Briens retired to Aurora where they owned and operated an antique business. In addition, Mr. O"Brien was a member of the board of directors of SCORE, active in the Literacy Volunteers of America and served on the Special Olympic committee. He is survived by one son, Christopher C. O"Brien and his wife, Jennifer of Jamestown, Colo.; one daughter, Bradley Derk O"Brien and her husband, Evan McGlinn of Mineral Point, Wis.; a brother, Jeremiah O"Brien of Pa.; four grandsons, Roan and Conall O"Brien and Jack and George McGlinn; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Sandra Bryant O"Brien who died Nov. 10, 1994, and an infant daughter, Alexandra Slocum O"Brien, who died in 1969. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9;30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 in St. Patrick"s Church, Aurora. Interment will be in Oak Glen Cemetery, Aurora. Friends are invited to call 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at the Shakelton Funeral Home, 418 Main St., Aurora. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Matthew House, P.O. Box 283, Auburn, NY 13021, in memory of Mr. O"Brien. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.

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Published by The Citizen on Aug. 31, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald O'Brien

8 Entries

Jan Wessel

September 18, 2008

I recently heard about Don's passing.
While he does not inhabit the world of the living anymore, I am certain that his spirit will live on in the minds of his friends.
I feel grateful for the privilege of having shared time & thoughts with Don.

Nancy Ansteth

September 8, 2008

To Don's Family:
What a pleasure to have known Don through Auburn SCORE! Please know he will be missed and leaves us with fond memories. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Tom Peterson

September 2, 2008

Dear family of Donald O'Brien,
My associations with Don span the past 6-8 years while in SCORE. A fine gentleman, lot's of spirit, always a joke or 2 and above all a very nice person to associate with. He will be warmly remembered. Sincerely. Tom Peterson, Auburn

Bob Bergan

September 1, 2008

Don helped hundreds of people in Auburn, Aurora and Union Springs learn how to live much happier, useful and spiritual lives. He was a truly great man, and I am grateful to have known him.

Tornie Woodruff MacKay

September 1, 2008

Dear Chris and Bradley,
I was so sorry to learn of Don's death. I often recall the happy memories on Cayuga Lake and miss both your parents. Sandy was a special friend.

Kathy McCabe

August 31, 2008

Dear Chris, Bradley and Family,
Your Dad has been in my prayers, over the past many weeks. I met him several years ago through Annie M. and was with them on several occasions. He was a fine man with
many qualities. Be proud he was your Dad.

david elkovitch

August 31, 2008

Mr. O'Brien was a "neat" person. He was always friendly and had a lot of good stories to tell. I had a good time talking with him. I will miss your Dad.

Ronayne Herbert

August 31, 2008

Dear Chris and Bradley, Family and
Friends,
Please accept my sincerest sympathies on the passing of your father and friend. It was a privilege to have known him the past few months. He was so proud of you and your families. Your photo book from the summer was his pride and joy and he would spend time going over all the pictures and raving about the grandchildren. He so appreciated the pancakes from McDonalds that Ann brought and all the other little acts of kindness that were shown to him during his illness. I was saddened that he didn't get home one last time but these things happen for reasons we sometimes cannot understand. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ronayne Herbert
Nurse Practitioner

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