Dr. Francis R. O'Brien

AUBURN | Dr. Francis R. O'Brien, 82, passed away Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 29, 1930. After graduating from CBA High School in Syracuse, he attended Manhattan College and went on to earn his medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. In 1952 he married Sonja Kardorff. They just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in June of this year. He served in the Army for two years and was stationed, along with his family, at Fort Eustis, Va. Upon completing his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology he started his OB/GYN practice in Auburn, in 1960 and continued practicing in Auburn until his retirement in 1990. Dr. O'Brien delivered over 6,000 babies during his career. He was loved by his patients and maternity nurses for his calm, casual manner and his sense of humor that always put everyone at ease. Learning was a passion of his. He constantly read books on a wide variety of subjects and, with his children in tow, visited museums across various U.S. cities. He found it exciting to explore the Mayan ruins in Mexico each year and once ventured in his motor home into Guatemala and surrounding countries. Dr. O'Brien also played recreational softball for many years in Auburn. He pitched for his team, the Medics, and once pitched a perfect game. Above all, he felt most at home on his farm in Weedsport. He loved his vegetable gardens and even built a greenhouse with wood-burning stove to keep his plants warm on cold fall nights. Family and friends loved the pies he'd bake using apples, pumpkins and elderberries that he grew himself. A consummate “do-it-yourself� man, he would cut down trees on his farm to make lumber using his own sawmill. He would use the lumber to build buildings around the farm. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sonja O'Brien; three sons, Timothy (Paula) O'Brien, of Auburn, Richard (Ruth) O'Brien, of Bothell, Wash., and Thomas O'Brien, of Weedsport; three daughters, Patricia (Donald) Hotaling-Clark, of Hannibal, Barbara (J. Stephen) Bonilla, of Auburn, and Susan Herrling, of Elbridge; 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Dr. O'Brien was predeceased by an infant son, Michael, in 1961. There were no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial was held at Holy Family Church in Auburn on Sept. 6 for immediate family members. Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, NY 13021. Dr. O'Brien will be greatly missed by his family, friends and former patients.