Robert C. O'Brien

Robert C. O'Brien
Robert C. O'Brien, 92, of Fairfield and the beloved husband of 65 years of Patricia M. (Rice) O'Brien, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 24, 2024 with his family by his side. He was born in Bridgeport to the late Edward and Dorothy (Ward) O'Brien. He attended Blessed Sacrament School and Warren G. Harding High School.
Bob was a U.S. Air Force veteran earning the rank of Staff Sergeant while stationed in Okinawa and Japan during the Korean Conflict. Upon his honorable discharge, he worked for Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford. He then attended Fairfield University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration in 1959.
Bob worked as the Plant Manager of the Mohawk Curtain Co. in Bridgeport and then Director of Manufacturing and Assistant to the President of Century Curtain Co., a division of Kayser Roth Corp. in New York. In 1972, he was appointed Associate Director of Development at Fairfield University. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Corporate and Political Communication at Fairfield University in 1979 and served on the University's Board of Alumni, representing the graduate school. In the late 1970's, he was appointed Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Heart Association and then as Executive Director of the Fairfield County Chapter of the Leukemia Society of America. Bob was the first health agency to initiate, introduce and conduct Celebrity Waiters Breakfast and Luncheons in Connecticut as major fundraising events for non-profit agencies. He later served as Director of Communications for an executive search firm. In 1998, Bob was appointed Executive Director of the Connecticut Chapter of the ALS Association. As Executive Director of three health agencies, Bob raised funds for medical research, patient aid and professional and public education.
Bob was a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield for over 25 years, serving as president in 1984. He attended St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield and St. Thomas Aquinas Church and was a member of the Gaelic American Club.
In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his loving sons, Sean P. O'Brien of Fairfield, William E. O'Brien and his wife Laura A. O'Brien of Johns Island, SC; his daughter, Kathleen A. Janick and her husband Herb of Cape Elizabeth, ME; and his nephew, Robert S. O'Brien and his wife Andrea of Atlanta, GA. He will also be greatly missed by his grandchildren: Lyddy, Margaret and Timothy O'Brien and Stephen, Dorothy, Thomas and Patricia Janick. He was predeceased by his brother, William E. O'Brien and his wife Terry.
Friends may greet his family on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home, 50 Reef Rd in Fairfield. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment with military honors in Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made in Bob's name to: Thomas Merton Family Center, 1406 State St., Bridgeport, CT 06605. To send an online condolence, please visit www.shaughnesseybanks.com.