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Francis O'Brien Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Francis O'Brien
Mr. William D Fandel
September 14, 2025
Father O'Brien;
I think of you often. Thank you for all the memories, and everything you did for me. You are dearly missed.
Mr. William D Fandel
September 16, 2024
Francis, I used to play basketball at Cardinal O'Connell seminary, and attended your ordination when I was 15. Twenty seven years later you united my wife and I in Holy Matrimony. I miss you and love you Frank.
Mr. William D Fandel
September 13, 2023
Dear Frank;
I talk to you everyday because I know now that my life has many blessings, and you are at the top. Who's better than you?
Mr. William D Fandel
September 13, 2022
Dear Frank; It's hard to believe that fourteen years have passed. I think of you often and know I'm blessed to have had you in my life. Heaven is lucky!
William Fandel
September 13, 2021
Dear Frank, I was at your ordination in 1966 and you said the mass as I exchanged vows in 1993. I will always hold you close, you are dearly missed.
William Fandel
September 13, 2020
So sad when I heard of your passing. Frank, you are the kindest person I know. I am blessed to have had you in my life. Rest in Peace!
William Fandel
June 14, 2020
I miss you , and I'm blessed that you came into my life.
Gregory Greene
October 6, 2008
Deepest sympathies to all of Fr O'Brien's vast family of friends and admirers. I'll always remember him as someone who could be relyed on to have the right words for times of, both, sorrow and joy. R.I.P.
the MacDonald family
October 4, 2008
We first met Fr. OB when he came a new priest to Christ King, Hudson.A living example of Christ to all. Our family loved him and respected him dearly. May he live eternaly in heaven with his wonderful Mom and Dad
Don LaBorne
September 29, 2008
Fran and I were classmates and alter boys at St. Patrick's in Natick. We served many masses together. I especially remember the kind words he sent me when he read that my parents passed away. I am saddened to learn of Fran's passing.
Heather
September 25, 2008
God bless you FOB! I have great memories of you from when I was a student at St. Pat's in the 80's.
Lydia Garvey
September 22, 2008
The Garvey's of St. Francis of Assisi in Medford have such fond memories of Father O'Brien...he will be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Kathryn Peirce
September 22, 2008
A week prior to Fr. O'Brien's passing I had the gift of attending a Mass said by him for the students of Marian High School. I did not know of Father O'Brien however, I was touched by his depth and exploration of the gospel. I was hoping to have further opportunity of hearing him at Mass from time to time and am saddened to know of his passing. He is with our Lord now, and I am thankful for His gift of Father to us.
William Pansire
September 21, 2008
Fr Francis (Franny) was as gentle and loving an individual that God has put on the earth. Having spent the elementary years at St Patricks in Natick & High School at Our Lady's (Class of '58) many fond memories rush through my mind. Franny I, as I know hundreds of others, will miss your tender & compassionate nature. There is no doubt that you are in a far greater place with our Lord & creator. Pray for us Fr Francis.
Mike Kelly
September 21, 2008
I, too am a long time friend, and can attest to the fact that his thorough humanity did not flag since I first met him 50 years ago.
Frank & Kathy Chiaravalloti
September 21, 2008
I was very surprised to hear the passing of Fr. O'Brien. he was a very good man.
He married us Sept. 11, 1971 at Christ the King in Hudson, MA.
My prayers to out to his family.
Mary Renda
September 20, 2008
Father O'Brien was the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi in Medford when I was in that parish. He was a wonderful and caring priest, truly a gem. When my father died, he was so supportive to my family and me. I also remember how devoted he was to his mother. May he rest in peace.
Kathy (Gallagher)Robidoux
September 20, 2008
Father O'Brien,
May you rest in peace. Thanks for all of your love and support for our family over the years. Thank you for making such a huge impact on our and many other peoples lives. You will be sadly missed..
Sue Antonellis
September 20, 2008
My children both loved Father O'Brien. Nice man, good sense of humor, wonderful priest. And, we were fortunate at Marian High School to have him say our opening Mass on Sept. 11. He will be missed and remembered for he touched the hearts of young and old, and many in between.
Mary Vacaro
September 20, 2008
Fr. Frank O'Brien was first of all a man of God. He was a very compassionate, kind and honest priest whom I had the pleasure of calling my friend and then work for at St. George's before I retired to Cape Cod. His Irish Christmas card to me last year still sits on my mantle -I will miss him very much. Mary Vacaro
Martha McCarthy
September 20, 2008
Fr. O'Brien was first my pastor at St. Pat's in Watertown when I was in high school there. He was always involved with student activities and interested in what we thought. He was then my pastor and boss at St. Francis in Medford. He honestly respected the faculty and parish members. He was one of the good guys and we have lost a wonderful human being.
Judy Johanson
September 20, 2008
"Gentle Shepherd, Peaceful One"
Fr O'Brien, accepted all, no matter who you were.
He has left an indelible mark on the faith communities he served, and we are all SO blessed to have had him in our lives!
I was privileged to have had him at as a religion teacher, guidance councilor, He married us,and baptized both my children. He lead by faith, and SO many of us followed!
Well done Faithful Servant, the world knows Christ's love better, because of you!
Lori Gallagher Macklin
September 20, 2008
Father O'Brien, we are so very sorry to see you go. You were a wonderful priest who helped see us through our parents' illnesses. You always brought a smile to my Mother's face. Now, I know she is so happy to see you. And Dad is there with more jokes for you to laugh at. God Bless You.
RICKY FINLAY
September 20, 2008
FATHER OBRIEN WAS A VERY COMPASSIONATE MAN. HE LOVED PEOPLE AND TALKING. I JUST HAD THE PRIVILAGE OF HIM BAPTISING MY SON IN AUGUST. HE WILL GREATLY BE MISSED IN OUR PARISH AND COMMUNITY.
Paul Moscato
September 19, 2008
Franny was a great classmate at Our Lady's High Scool,he was also a great priest,who loved his church.
Danny McCarthy
September 19, 2008
Fr. Frank was always there in the good times and the bad. To be a shoulder to lean on in the tragic times and to help us celebrate the many weddings and births and the good times. The St. Patrick of Watertown community was a better place because of him. God Bless you Frank .
Roberta Pawluczonek
September 19, 2008
Everyone that met Fr. O’Brien will miss him terribly because once he touched your life you were his friend. Fr. O’Brien lived the true meaning of our faith, always with a smile; always willing to help and always making you feel welcome. He would be the person to do those special things when no one was looking – and not wanting to be thanked because it was just who he was. We experienced God’s love through Fr. O’Brien, and we will continue to thank God for having him in our lives even if it was only for a short time. Words cannot explain the emptiness we feel with him gone.
Elsa Aviza
September 19, 2008
Father O'Brien is the finest, most Christlike member of the clergy I personally have ever met. He was humble, generous, unjudgemental, understanding, loving and forgiving. He cannot be replaced. He was one of a kind!
Elsa Aviza Framingham
Sari Spickler
September 19, 2008
Father O'Brien it was an honor to have known you. Thank you for all that you did to support the Cherry Street Association. You will be greatly missed.
Maryellen Damiano-Capadais
September 19, 2008
I am so shocked and saddened by Fr Frank's passing. He was an unbelievable example of the practice of compassion and unconditional love. I knew Fr Frank 12yrs and he saw me through so many trying and joyful times in my life. What a source of strength and love. He will be surely missed.
Pat Stone
September 19, 2008
May God Bless You And Your Family At This Time Of Sorrow. You Will Be MIssed.
Diane Gallagher-Wadman
September 19, 2008
Fr. O'Brien you will be deeply missed. You were an incredible person, priest, and especially a family friend. Your support to my family during some very difficult times meant the world to us. You helped all of us keep the faith! My prayers are with you. Say hello to my parents for me.
Lorelei Capuzzi
September 19, 2008
My family and I were deeply saddened at the loss of a truly great man. Fr. O'Brien was an inspiratinal part of our lives, there with us through joyous and trying times. We will sincerely miss him.
John O'Rourke
September 19, 2008
Father Frank loved life, a good joke, and most of all.....people. As a dear friend for 48 years, I miss him.
Chris Perdue
September 19, 2008
I am in shock! Franny was a person you could not find fault with. His compassion and love of his church was something he lived for. He had a much larger family than anyone I ever knew. The event only a couple of days ago was an example of his undying commitment. All those blue shirts...
People like Franny give us reason to believe again. Now that's ridiculous...there was no one like Franny.
I served his first mass when I was 12, 42 years ago.
You will never be alone. I love you!
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