RICHARD PAUL O'BRIEN

O'BRIEN, Richard Paul A longtime resident of Acton and Scituate, died at his home in Stow, after living with glioblastoma for three years. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he was the eldest of Al and Eva O'Brien's four children. Dick grew up in East Detroit and was a top paper boy for the Detroit Free Press, once earning the honor of meeting his hero, Al Kaline. He attended St. Joseph's High School and earned a full scholarship to Florida State University. Following graduation, he entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Dick was assigned to a destroyer squadron and his ship, the USS Kretchmer, was part of the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. After leaving active duty, Dick continued his naval career in the Reserves, retiring in 1989 as a Captain. While a young naval officer, Dick met Nancy McNiff of Belmont and the rest is history. The Midwesterner became a New Englander. Always a big sports fan, Dick switched his allegiances from the Red Wings and Tigers to the Bruins and Red Sox. Dick and Nancy were married in 1966 and moved to Acton, where he became part of the fabric of the community. He was committed to being a good citizen and served wherever he was needed from town boards to youth sports leagues. He was the moderator of the Acton Water District for 26 years and an active member of many organizations, such as the Wardroom Club of Boston, the Acton Lions, the Colonial Club, the Miracle League of Massachusetts and J.U.M.P. He was a recipient of the William L. Ryan Community Service Award for service to the Acton-Boxborough schools. Dick earned his MBA at Babson College and spent a long career in sales and marketing. He held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations and served as past President of MDG Boston. Dick was enthusiastically working full-time until the day of his diagnosis. He was foremost a man of faith. For many years, he was a lector at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish, where he was a communicant for over 50 years. His life was an example of the love of God, family and country. Dick and Nancy raised six children, who brought him great pride and joy. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Dean and Jerry; and his infant granddaughter, Frances Rose. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Meyer of Michigan; and his sister-in-law, Barbara O'Brien of Florida. Most importantly, he will remain in the hearts of his wife of 58 years, Nancy; his children and their spouses, Maura and Dave Champigny of Acton, Erin and Ryan Bettez of Stow, Dick and Jill O'Brien of Acton, Michael and Ronny O'Brien of Ann Arbor, MI, Buster and Maureen O'Brien of Acton and Patrick and Celie O'Brien of Scituate; and his grandchildren who cherished their papa, Shannon (Jairo), Michael, Luke, Maggie, Julie, Liam, Brendan, Claire, Keenan, Kate, Connor, Shea, Devin, Annie, C.J., Ali, Teddy, Blen, P.J., Sean, Frannie, Mary and Hannah. The O'Brien family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the compassionate aides from Deaconess Abundant Life Services, whose tender care allowed Dick to remain at home. Visitation at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass. Ave., ACTON, on Monday, November 11, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 89 Arlington St., Acton, November 12, at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick's memory may be made to Dr. Ugo Chukwueke's Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (dana-farber.org/give) or the Boys and Girls Club of Assabet Valley, 212 Great Rd., Maynard. www.actonfuneralhome.com