Randall O. "Randy" O'Brien

Randy O'Brien, 66, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 2, 2012, at Wuesthoff Hospice House in Rockledge following a long illness.

Son of Daniel and Dorothy, Randy was born in Ontario, Canada, September 30, 1945 with dual citizenship, and at 18 years, due to signing up for selective service in the Armed Forces became a full American Citizen.

Randy lived a full life. Being the youngest of 4 brothers with a Military Dad, they lived many places, including Germany, after the war finally settling in Chatham, NJ.

Randy holds bachelor's degrees in education, industrial arts and psychology from Newark State College and Kean University in Union, N.J. He has earned educational credits from the U of Florida and Texas A&M U in chemistry, and from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding emergency oil spill response and chemical clean-up. He also received firefighter training from the Firefighters College in Ocala.

In his first career, Randy was a professional musician, playing in various venues up and down the Jersey Shore singing Irish tunes and playing his guitar, then moved to Merritt Island to help his Dad in the oil boom business. He eventually bought American Boom & Barrier, which manufactures equipment used to clean up oil spills and spent several weeks as an advisor during the Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

Randy served on the Brevard County Tourist Development council for 12 years. He is also the former Home Owner's Assoc. President of Villa del Palmas, is a member of the Elks Club, and Ancient Order of the Hibernians.

He served as District 2 Brevard County Commissioner for eight years where he was a strong voice of Economic Development in his support of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency and instrumental in the start of Brevard County's Beach Re-nourishment Program, he fought for the taxpayers with no tax increases while in office and voted to televise County Commission Meetings to keep public informed. With CFFW he was a strong voice and fought many hours through the Manatee Protection Plan to protect Boaters Rights.

Preceded in death by his brother, Barry, Randy is survived by his wife, Sharon; a son, Danny; and step-sons, Jeff and Nick Naayers, Brad Mowry and Teddy Muto; daughter-in-law, Charleen; eight grand-children; brothers, Terry and his wife, Lorraine of San Diego, CA, Dennis and his wife, Lynne of Phoenixville, PA; many loving nieces and nephews and his ever-faithful dog, Molly.

Being known as an Irish tenor, Randy could on occasion be heard playing a tune at a local pub or restaurant and always at his annual St. Patrick's Day parties, he loved boating, traveling and just spending time at home with family and friends.

He will be sorely missed by many!

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday June 16th, at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, where Randy was a long time member.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Wuesthoff Hospice House, 661 Eyster Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955 or St. Vincent DePaul at Divine Mercy.

Condolences may be shared at www.wyliebaxleymerrittisland.com.