John J. O'Brien

John J. O'Brien
formerly of North Chelmsford; 86

RYE, NH -- John J. O'Brien, 86, formerly of North Chelmsford died Monday, September 24, 2012, surrounded by family at his daughter's home in Rye, NH. He died peacefully in his sleep after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the eldest the son of the late Charles and Margaret O'Brien. John graduated from Lowell High School in 1944. He was captain of the baseball team. After graduating high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country in the North Atlantic during WWII. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Storekeeper Third Class. He studied at the University of Maine at Orono graduating in 1954 with a B.S. in English, with a minor in Science and History. He received this Masters Degree in Teaching from Boston State.

He taught English and coached football and basketball during his 34 year career at Burlington High School, retiring in 1989. John began his career in education teaching elementary school in Wolfeboro, NH.

He was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church of North Chelmsford. He was also a member of the VFW Walker Roger Post in Lowell, the A.W. Vinal American Legion Post 313 in North Chelmsford, where he coached the baseball team, and the East End Club of Lowell.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie (Fournier) (Normand) O'Brien, two children Brendan P. and Judy C. O'Brien of Baltimore, MD, Tara and Joel Hebert of Rye, NH, grandchildren John and Morgan Hebert and Sophie and Karis O'Brien. He was anxiously anticipating his fifth grandchild next March, Baby O'Brien #3. He was the eldest of five siblings, Rev. Charles H. O'Brien, O.P. of Lowell, sisters Eileen Locapo of Dunstable, Margaret Stone of Lowell, and the late Dorothea Fleming of Lowell. Dear to his heart were his numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

O'BRIEN -- John J. O'Brien formerly of North Chelmsford died September 24, 2012 in Rye, NH. Visiting Hours are Thursday, September 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral is Friday, September 28 at 8:00 a.m. from the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX ST., CHELSMFORD, with a Funeral Mass at 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, North Chelmsford. Burial will take place in the Bourne National Cemetery at 1:45PM. Memorials may be made in his memory to the Beacon Hospice, 95 Brewery Ln, Suite 10, Portsmouth, NH 03801. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.