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John O'Brien Obituary
August 14, 1939 - June 26, 2022
Dr. John M. O'Brien of New Milford, CT passed away while surrounded by family on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at the age of 82.
He was born on August 14, 1939 in Maspeth, NY, son of the late James Aloysius and Catherine O'Brien.
John attended Stuyvesant High School in NYC and was admitted to Queens College at the age of 15. He earned his Master's degree from Columbia at 20 and his PhD from USC at 24.
Dr. O'Brien was a decorated history professor at Queens College for 50(!) years, where he pioneered the school's first study abroad program at the University of Leeds in England in 1967.
At Queens College he was the inaugural recipient of the school's President's Award, an honor he received a record 3 times (1968, 1990, 1999).
Most proficient in tongue and pen, for John there's no "it might have been." He authored a critically acclaimed biography "Alexander The Great: The Invisible Enemy," a highly-rated novel "Aloysius The Great" and most recently an epic poem "Alexander The Great: A Lyrical Biography" that he co-wrote with his daughter Christine. He also has works published in The New York Times, The Times in London and the world-renowned Oxford Classical Dictionary amongst countless others.
John's motto was "Quidvis Agendum, Nimis Agendum." Latin for "Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing" and he embodied that every day. He was as loving and patient as he was brilliant and his mission in life was helping others.
He was an avid sports lover and a James Joyce aficionado who was immensely proud of his Irish heritage. He was an accomplished author, a witty wordsmith and a true saver of souls. But above all else, he was a Hall Of Fame husband and father whose legacy will live on forever.
John is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy, to whom he was married for 44 years; and his three children Christine, Bill and Lillian. All four were his pride and joy, as he is ours.
We love you so much. To us, you are and always will be…John O'Brien The Great!
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 6 from 3-7pm at Lillis Funeral Home at 58 Bridge Street in New Milford, CT and he is looking forward to seeing you there! In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Regional Hospice in Danbury, CT.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John O'Brien
Sponsored by Lillis Funeral Home.
Ken Kelly
August 2, 2022
Dr. O'Brien was one of the best teachers that I ever had. It was a joy to take his classes at Queens College. He will be sorely missed. Our loss is heaven's gain.
Aaron Desrosiers
July 5, 2022
Hi John, I like to think you can read this where you are. I just want to say thank you for being my friend, if only on facebook. It was all because of Our shared enjoyment of James Joyce, and then your book Aloysius!
I loved our many messages back and forth, and will always remember you.
I hope to see you again someday!
O'Brien family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you're ever in the area of Fall River, MA , shoot me a Facebook message. Bill knows my profile. I'd like to get together for a meal or drinks etc, to remember John.
All my best
Aaron Desrosiers
Paul McGovern
July 5, 2022
On behalf of the McGovern family, please accept our heartfelt condolences to the O´Brien family for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting John and his brother James in person once to talk family history. I had hoped to have many more opportunities since we shared a deep interest in our ancestry. May he Rest In Peace.
Anna Rossini
July 5, 2022
Dear Mrs. O'Brien and Family:
On behalf of the Administration, Faculty and Staff of Queens College, we would like to express our deepest sympathy on the passing of your loved one, John.
May he Rest in Peace,
Wendy Burkett
July 5, 2022
It´s been such a gift knowing John . He touched so many lives . I will truly miss seeing him in the rooms. RIP my friend
Anthony T. Sabella
July 5, 2022
With Deepest Sympathy for Dorothy and Family. John left a profoundly positive impression on the course of my life. I will always cherish and value the wisdom he so freely imparted to me.
Fondly,
Tony Sabella
Ivan Hernandez
July 5, 2022
John- you always reached out with a helping hand! We will always remember you! Thank you for your service in Washington!!
Shanta Acharya
July 5, 2022
For John, who was a wonderful, decent, thoughtful human being. My deep condolences to his family.
Steven Naudts
July 5, 2022
My condolences to the family and friends
Marty O'Connor (Australia)
July 4, 2022
RIP My Dear Friend John ,You lived you life to the full and more,I shall miss our chats (My morning time and your evening time) Your advice and humor I shall hold dear with a smile John.Your story will continue in Ireland and Australia.Love to All John's Family that he NEVER STOP Talking about.He Only had love in his blood.Kindest Regards Marty from Australia
Lisa Keiffer
July 4, 2022
I had the true honor of knowing John from "the rooms". I would look forward to seeing him Sunday mornings at our Reflections group. I would make my rounds to say hello and I would greet him with a kiss to which he would respond in an exagerated fashion taking both of his hands and lifting his hat high off his head as though my kiss had magically blown it off his head!! He was a special person and loved hid wife and kids dearly! My heart breaks for you all and it's people like John that make me believe in heaven.
John and Madeline Czel
July 4, 2022
Dorothy and family,
Our deepest sympathies to all of you.
John was a kind soul and we were blessed just to know him.
Timothy E. Dunne
July 3, 2022
Dear O'Brien Family... You have my deepest sympathies, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Jon Maxwell O'Brien's life, was a life, well lived at every turn of the page.
He has left us all a great legacy; that will no doubt, enable future generations curious minds to connect with his Genius mind, to be enlightened and enriched for all the ages.
Requiescet in pace
Suaimhneas síoraí
Rest in Peace
John Dunne
July 3, 2022
RIP, Great intellect+personality
Victor and Jackie Oliveira
July 2, 2022
Prayers to all of you at this difficult time.
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