Thomas Francis "Fran" O'Brien

Thomas Francis O'Brien
of Glen AubreyThomas Francis "Fran" O'Brien, 87, of Glen Aubrey, died peacefully, Wednesday, December 8, 2004, at the Vestal Nursing Center. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Erva Croft O'Brien; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Darrell Kennedy, Lafayette, Calif.; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Gerald and Gina O'Brien, New Castle, Del., Bill O'Brien, Hillcrest. Fran was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth in 1975. He was blessed with a second family who will cherish many memories of him; a stepdaughter, Bonnie and Gerry Novak, Whitney Point; stepson, Donald and Nancy Croft, Glen Aubrey; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many good friends he made on his journey. Fran was born in Binghamton on April 23, 1917, son of Thomas and Anna Quinn O'Brien. He owned and operated O'Brien's Sanitary Services until his retirement in 1982. He was a member of Nimmonsburg Rotary Club, the Beaver Meadow Lake Club, and a past president of the Binghamton Gun Club. He was an avid skeet and trapshooter. As a young man he participated in horse shows and rodeos in the area, as well as playing baseball on many local teams. In 1947, he had a tryout with the NY Yankees at first base, but he had a bad day at bat. He was also proud of his seasons as the coach of the Nimmonsburg Babe Ruth and Little Leagues, giving the credit for championships to his players. He always looked forward to opening day of the baseball season, but his greatest love was his family and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of the Vestal Nursing Center and Evergreen Unit for the professional and loving care Fran and his family have received from them.
A Memorial Mass will be offered at St. Paul's Church, Binghamton, Saturday at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Fran may be made to the Vestal Nursing Center Resident Council, 863 Front St., Vestal, N.Y. 13850, or Lourdes Hospice, 169 Riverside Dr., Binghamton, N.Y. 13905. Arrangements are by the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, N.Y.