Robert L. O'Brien

1933 - 2024

Robert L. (Bob) O'Brien, a cherished husband, loving father and grandfather, died peacefully on February 7, 2024 in Lenox, surrounded by family.

Bob was born in Pittsfield, MA on November 18, 1933, to Walter Joseph and Jeannette (Clement) O'Brien. He grew up in a large family in West Pittsfield and with his brothers, sisters, and cousins spent countless hours doing chores and playing on their grandparents' Melbourne Road farm. Bob liked to reminisce about serving as an altar boy at St. Mark's Church, his job as an usher at the Strand Theater, and playing baseball in the vacant lot across the street from his Merriam Street home.

Bob was a member of the St Joseph's Central High School, Class of 1951. Until recently, he enjoyed meeting his classmates every month at the 99 Restaurant for lunch.

After graduation, he completed his carpentry apprenticeship and worked as a foreman in Springfield, MA. In 1959, he returned to Pittsfield to form O'Brien and Coughlin with his brother-in-law, Jim Coughlin. By 1970, Bob had founded Robert L. O'Brien, Inc, a construction company he operated until his retirement in 2003. Over the years, Bob and his union shop built and remodeled single family homes and small commercial buildings and contracted work at GE Plastics. He also installed in-ground swimming pools, his first in his own back yard to the delight of his family. He served on the Board of Directors of the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts for several years.

Bob married the former Mary K. Coughlin on April 24, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield. The father of 7 daughters, he was an original Girl-Dad, devoted to encouraging and supporting his O'Brien girls. Bob was also Mary's biggest backer throughout her long political career.

Together, he and Mary enjoyed bowling, tennis, skiing, and travelling. Bob was adept at jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. He reveled in being a life-long die-hard and vocal NY Yankees fan. For over 40 years, Bob and Mary were enthusiastic hosts for family picnics by their pool. Bob liked to claim that he taught dozens of nieces and nephews and grandchildren how to dive, although no one ever saw him dive in the pool himself. Many of his O'Brien, Coughlin, King, Lincoln, Noel, and White nieces and nephews valued him as a favorite uncle.

Bob and Mary loved living in Pittsfield, working and raising their family on Pollock Avenue. Bob often greeted his family in the morning with, "It's another beautiful day in the Berkshires!" Though he and Mary moved to Kimball Farms in Lenox in 2019 and enjoyed making many new friends there, he always thought of Pittsfield as home. Bob had served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Visiting Nurses' Association and was an advisor to the Building Maintenance Director at Sacred Heart Church, where he was a longtime parishioner. Upon his retirement, he found great fulfillment in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program as a driver, taking cancer patients to their treatments. He was a consistent visitor to sick friends and relatives as an act of his deep faith in God.

He proudly served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1959 as a Sergeant First Class.

Bob is survived by Mary (Coughlin), his wife of nearly 70 years, their daughters, Katherine and Meg of Pittsfield, Ellen of Lenox, Paula Turnbull (Martin) of Westford, MA and Michaela (Nathaniel Reade), of Florence, MA. He was predeceased by their daughters Bridget O'Brien and Maura Fissel.

Bob leaves eight grandchildren, of whom he was very proud, Michaela Fissel, Robert Fissel, Katherine Fissel Hogan (Nicholas), Daniel Fissel (Ethan Falleur), Daniel Turnbull (Kelly Knopp), Christopher Turnbull, Henry Reade, and Charles Reade. He is survived by five great-grandsons Dillan, Alvin, and Caleb Fryxell, and Myles and Zachary Hogan.

Bob is survived by a sister, Jean Lincoln (the late John) of Norton, MA, a brother, Michael O'Brien (Margaret) of Glen Allen, VA and sisters-in-law, Helen O'Brien of Rensselaer, NY, Carmen Coughlin of Mountain View, CA, and Paula Byrdy (the late Harold) of Lenox, and a brother-in-law, Richard Noel of Clifton Park, NY. He was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Noel, brothers, Joseph R. O'Brien and John C. O'Brien (the late Patricia), sisters in-law Jeanne Bushey (the late George) and Carolyn White (the late Albert) and brothers in-law David Coughlin, James Coughlin (the late Marilyn), Thomas Coughlin, and Michael Coughlin.

Bob was a great wit with a natural ability to make people laugh and feel at ease in his company. He formed life-long friendships and loved sharing a good story. He was truly a good and gentle man. He was happiest when helping others including his daughters and their families, his neighbors, and his many, many friends. He especially delighted in stopping in at the homes of his longtime friends to catch up over a cup of tea.

Dearest Bob, May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Une vie honorable est une vie éternelle. (An honorable life is an eternal life.)

Bob's family would like to thank the Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association for its assistance and care these past several years and the caring and loving staff at the Kimball Farms Life Enrichment Program, who along with HospiceCare in the Berkshires, helped Bob's family to ensure that his final days were peaceful and respectful.

The O'Briens will receive family and friends on Monday, February 12 at Dery Funeral Home from 3-6 pm. His nephew, Fr. Joseph O'Brien, will preside over the Liturgy of Christian Burial on Tuesday, February 13 at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Church, assisted by Fr. Steven Montesanti, Pastor of Sacred Heart. Inurnment will follow at the St Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob's name may be made to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity, in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201