Peter D. O'Brien

O'BRIEN, Peter D. Peter D. O'Brien, 69, of Stafford, passed away on Sunday, (December 30, 2007), at Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs. He was born May 29, 1938, in Manchester, the son of Jerry and Florence O'Brien. Peter retired as a supervisor from Connecticut Natural Gas after 38 years of service. He was an outdoorsman, nature lover, conversationalist, reader, advisor, thinker, gentleman, patriot, and friend. He was an outspoken proponent of The Bill of Rights and a Life Member, Golden Eagle, of the National Rifle Association. He was a member of The Nature Conservancy and the Recreational Fishing Alliance. He was a member of The Rockville Lodge of ELKS. Peter is survived by a loving family: his wife, Patricia Ann (Urda) Thompson O' Brien; his children, Paula Jean Ferguson and her husband, John Nelson Ferguson, II, and Jerome Raymond O'Brien, all of Vermont. He leaves his stepsons, Kenneth W. and Kurt W. Thompson and their wives, Jaime and Lori. Also surviving Peter are his seven grandchildren: Brenden James O'Brien, John Nelson Ferguson, III, Emma Rose Ferguson, Bailey Marie Digris, Cooper Dice Thompson, Kyle William Thompson and Cameron Wyatt Thompson. Surviving Peter, also, is his children's mother, Beverly Sparks, of Manchester. Peter also leaves his Connecticut Association of Plumbing and Heating Inspectors and Connecticut Natural Gas friends, as well as his best friend of many years, Larry Machia, of Stafford Springs. Peter was predeceased by longtime friend, Raymond P. Giard, on October 10, 2007. Peter requested a special thank you be given to his longtime trusted physicians, Michael Martin, M.D., of South Windsor, and Lester S. Kritzer, M.D., of Manchester, as well as pastor and good friend, Rev. David C. Dalzell, of Stafford Springs. Those who may wish to make a memorial donation are kindly asked to consider Safe-Net Ministries (which funds local charities) P.O. Box 93, Stafford Springs, CT 06076; Connecticut Association of Plumbing and Heating Inspectors Scholarship Fund, 11 Mountain Rd., Stafford Springs, CT 06076; or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 104 West Main St., Stafford Springs, CT 06076. His funeral will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2008, with a procession forming by 9 a.m. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, followed by a Church Service officiated by Rev. David C. Dalzell at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, West Main St., Stafford Springs. Burial will follow at Staffordville Cemetery, Staffordville. Calling hours are on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneral home.com