O'Brien, Daniel
1949 - 2017
Daniel C. O'Brien, 68, died October 14 of brain cancer at Sunrise of Worthington. Survived by loving wife of 46 years, Barbara; devoted sons, Matthew (Jamie) of Chicago and Christopher (Jessica) of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter, Ellington born Oct. 5th; brother, Jim of Chicago; in-laws, Doug (Anne) Henschen, Jon (Jackie) Henschen and Nancy Patrick. Also surviving are 15 nieces and nephews; dear cousins; his "work family" and many friends, including those in his Worthington neighborhood of 29 years who have been so helpful to the family over the past 18 months. Preceded in death by parents, sister Kathleen and brother John. Dan enjoyed a 37-yr. career in truck leasing sales management, the last 20 with Paccar Leasing of Bellevue, Wash. Known best for his nationwide sales network, his love of mentoring and training salespeople and his countless stories. As a former yacht broker, Dan had piloted boats through the Erie Canal and into dozens of Great Lakes ports. For 21 summers, he docked his own Chris Craft cabin cruisers at the Catawba Island Club and South Marinas, where he loved spending weekends on Lake Erie. He was also a lifelong model flight enthusiast, including airplanes, rockets and drones, which he enjoyed teaching others to fly. Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 25, 1949 to Jack and Gert O'Brien. Grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ, Wellesley, MA and Lake Forest, IL, where he graduated from high school in 1967. A proud Northwestern University graduate with a B.S. in Speech in 1971, the same year he married fellow NU student Barbara. He was a 25-year member of First Community Church, where he taught Sunday School and was part of Friendship Circle #35. He also served as Scoutmaster for Worthington Boy Scout Troop #333. Family will receive friends at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High Street, from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. Services at First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., in Columbus at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2017 with burial to follow at Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan's name can be made to The V Foundation for Cancer Research at jimmyv.org. Visit schoedinger.com to offer online condolences.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Oct. 16 to Oct. 17, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel O'Brien

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

9 Entries

Gina Vecchioni

October 11, 2019

Dear Barb and family,
Just wanted you to know I still think of Dan often and he is still a legend here at PacLease with all our dealers and friends. If someone is telling a funny story (especially one they may have told before) or turning a "meeting" into a fun social call we call it "pulling a Dan O'Brien". I teared up one day when a salesman at Palmer was venting to me and told me I was his Dan O'Brien now. Highest compliment. Hope you are doing well; if you receive this and want to send me your new contact info here is mine:

[email protected]
cell 586 242 6660

Marvin Snyder

May 27, 2019

I worked at Penske with Dan. We had so many great times together. He was full of fun and great funny stories. He will be missed. I'm sorry I had just found out of his passing. So sorry for your loss.
May God hold him in the palm of his hand and God will be with him and his family.
Great great guy. He always kept my spirits high and had something good to say.
Marvin Snyder

Olen Hunter

October 18, 2017

On behalf of the PacLease Australia team we would like to offer our condolences to the O'Brien family and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Dan was one of our industry's greatest sales managers and mentors. He shaped the lives of so many people that will forever be indebted to him for his leadership, friendship and knowledge. He will truly be missed by his brothers and sisters in the leasing and rental business.

Hal Luebbe

October 18, 2017

Barb,

I worked with Dan in the 80's at both Leaseway and Penske. he was a great guy that was always able to bring out the positives of any situation. My condolences to you and your family.

Brian Donley

October 18, 2017

Dear Barbara,

My heart felt condolences and prayers are with you. I have known and have stayed in touch with Dan over the years ever since he hired me at Penske back in 1988. Although I have not spoken to him in a about a year, it was always like we just picked up the conversation like it was yesterday. Dan was just an awesome guy in every way, and he will be dearly missed by all that knew him.

I am glad to see that Dan also had a very special relationship with God. It's our faith in Jesus Christ that gives us the strength to endure this time of grieving, and knowing that Dan is with our heavenly Father gives comfort to us all. May God comfort you and continue to strengthen you now and forever.

Sincerely,
Brian Donley

Kathy Manbeck

October 17, 2017

Barb and family - - so sorry to hear this news. You have my deepest sympathy during this most difficult time. All our love,
Kathy Henschen Manbeck

Stonewall

October 17, 2017

My condolences and prayers to the O'Brien family. The world lost a truly genuine and unique soul with the passing of Dan. Dan mentored many of us in the Sales arena but his true calling lay in his ability to always provide a listening ear, a positive outlook and a great story...that may or may not have been relevant to whatever point he was trying to make. His wisdom, kindness, business acumen, humor and friendship will be missed more than words can express. I'll see you on the other side brother!

Andy Hallums

October 17, 2017

I met Dan back in 04' during the Pac Lease OCI initiative. He had every story on every person who worked within Pac Lease without even taking a breath or starting a new paragraph: LOL!! He was a super nice guy with a great (dry) sense of humor.
He called me out of the blue when he was diagnosed as I'm sure he reached out to lots of friends and business acquaintances. I knew at that time he was saying goodbye.I will always remember him with a smile!!

Peter Roy

October 16, 2017

Thanks Dan for being an awesome friend, enjoyed all our time together, and aside from the stories really appreciated your tutelage over the years. Rest in peace, and someday we will meet in "Cincinnati Canada".

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