Albert Carey O'Brien

1935 - 2021

Albert Carey O'Brien
1935 - 2021
San Diego
Albert Carey O'Brien, Professor Emeritus of History, passed away on February 6, 2021. He was 85.Al was born in 1935 in Cranston, RI, to John and Helen O'Brien. He graduated from Providence College and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Turin in Italy. Al earned an M.A. in Teaching from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Notre Dame. In 1965, he joined the faculty at San Diego State University (SDSU) as a professor of Modern European History. He married fellow faculty member Mary Margaret Eide on June 15, 1968. Al and Mary bought a home in Point Loma and started a family. During his 35-year-long career at SDSU, Al received numerous awards, including Most Influential Faculty member, Outstanding Academic Advisor, and Outstanding Faculty Member. He received the Lifetime Advising Award in 2000 for his exemplary academic advising.Al was a brilliant and compassionate man with a sharp sense of humor who fostered critical thinking in his students and his daughters. He enjoyed gardening, travelling, listening to classical music, and spending time with his family. A voracious reader and lifelong learner, Al shared his knowledge and wit with all who had the joy of knowing him. Al was a founding member and longtime President of San Diego Call to Action. He also helped found the Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community (MMACC), a community of progressive Catholics committed to reforming the church.He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary; his two daughters, Jen and Katie, and their spouses, Ethan and Leonardo; and his three grandchildren, Elia, Lucas, and Marcos. A virtual memorial mass was held on February 13. His ashes will be scattered off the coast of Sunset Cliffs. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Dr. Al O'Brien Endowed Scholarship at SDSU for non-traditional and first-generation college students: http://philanthropy.sdsu.edu/OBrien and the Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community at MMACC c/o Gethsemane, Lutheran Church, 2696 Melbourne Dr., San Diego, CA 92123.