Joseph O'Brien

1933 - 2011
Joseph "Jay" O'Brien

Joseph "Jay" O'Brien died at Falmouth Hospital on March 24, 2011. Originally from New York City he relocated to Massachusetts and was a resident of Cambridge and Falmouth for twenty years.

Jay was born in the Bronx and after graduating from All Hallows High School went on to Columbia College and Business School and obtained his MBA in International Banking/Foreign Trade. He joined Cluett, Peabody International (Arrow Shirts) and established and managed the company's tax haven operations based in Zug, Switzerland. As part of his financial responsibilities with Cluett, Peabody International AG, he became part of the Advisory Committee and Board of Directors of the Union Bank and continued in this capacity throughout his subsequent European assignments.

Jay returned home to New York City and joined McGraw-Hill International as President of McGraw-Hill Latinoamerica SA. He was based in the Republic of Panama where he developed and managed their operations throughout Latin America. Returning from Panama he continued his distinguished career with McGraw-Hill Business Week and Forbes Magazine.

Jay was an accomplished pianist who also enjoyed literature, traveling and watching his favorite teams play. Always compassionate, Jay was proudest of his efforts in Panama to help the people he encountered, advocating for them at work, and helping them in their times of need and loss.

Jay is survived by his wife Carmen of 49 years, his children Stephen, Justin and Jennifer, daughter-in-law Juliana, son-in-law Anthony; five grandchildren Michael, Katie, and Emma Argentieri of Rochester, NY, and Sabine and Daniel O'Brien of New York City. He is also survived by his three sisters Joan O'Brien and Elaine McCarthy of Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Betty Kearney of Santa Barbara, CA and four nieces Mary Ellen McCarthy of Brookline, MA, Marguerite Waye of Atlantic Highlands, Beth Kearney of Whidbey Island, WA, Susan Heffernan of Santa Barbara, CA, and cousin Sister Patricia O'Brien of Nanuet, NY. He leaves behind dear in-laws in Puerto Rico, Brigida Agueda-Uselis, Verner Uselis, and their children Elizabeth and Noel, Carmen and Juan Agueda in Washington D.C., Carmen and Salvador Agueda also in Puerto Rico.

Relatives and friends will miss him and cherish his memory forever.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Chapman, Cole and Gleason, in Falmouth, MA. Burial will take place at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ, March 31, 2011, 1 p.m. Donations can be made to All Hallows High School General Scholarship Fund, 111 East 164th Street, Bronx, NY 10452.