Austin B. O'Brien Jr.

Austin B. "O'B" O'Brien Jr., 79, of South Dennis died peacefully Sunday, February 9, 2020, surrounded by his adoring family at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. He was the husband of Leona "Lee" M. (Carr) O'Brien for 51 years. Born in Camden, N.J., O'B was the youngest child of the late Austin and Elizabeth (Aron) O'Brien. Austin graduated from Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, NJ in 1958. After his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the Fighter Squadron VF14 Top Hatters. He was honorably discharged in 1962. In 1963, O'B moved to Massachusetts to begin a long career in the retail lumber business. He was the Vice President of both Mr. Lumber Inc. and P.F. O'Connor Lumber Inc. from 1963 to 1992. He then went on to become owner and partner at Wood Ventures Lumber until his retirement in 2005. After moving to Massachusetts, O'B met his wife of 51 years Leona "Lee" (Carr) O'Brien. Together they settled in Yarmouthport, where they raised their children. O'B was a 20-year member of the Harwich Dennis Rotary Club, serving as president in 1976 and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award that same year. He was also the last surviving member of the original crew of the Red Rooster, who created and sailed in the first Figawi race. O'B spent a lot of his retired days helping others. He was a volunteer medical driver for the Town of Dennis, where he would pick up patients and drive them to and from medical appointments and cancer treatments even while he was being treated for the same disease. He was always the first to sign up at church to deliver meals to the needy on holidays and anonymously delivering gifts and gift cards to those in need. His favorite pastime was his love for automobiles. He was often seen in local parades in his 1957 Buick or in his ground up restoration 1940 Ford hot rod. He thoroughly enjoyed car shows and spending time with his motor head buddies. His love for the ocean and for his family go hand in hand. He could be found walking West Dennis Beach daily, collecting treasures and sending images of the sunrise to family members early each day with a text saying "I LOVE YOU". He was the heartbeat of his tribe. His family will forever remember to turn off the lights when they leave a room because they don't own the electric company. They promise to drink from only one glass a day and will never eat rolls before dinner because it will "ruin your supper". Mostly, they are reminded that their days are short, being together is important, and there will always be a Santa Claus as well as an Easter Bunny. Through his actions, each and every one of them have learned to fight the fight and never give up. O'B fought cancer for nine consecutive years. He never complained and continued to give back every single day during that time. He gave new meaning to the phrase "The fighting Irish". In addition to his wife, O'B is survived by a daughter, Dawn-Marie Nardone and her husband Michael of West Yarmouth; a son, Austin B. O'Brien III and his wife Kathleen of Bourne; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Alex, Avery and Michael Nardone, and Austin, Jack and Kelley O'Brien; two great-grandchildren, Michaela and Jacob; a brother, Arthur Miller of Roanoke, VA; a sister, Mary Long of South Yarmouth; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Monday, February 17, in St. Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth. Interment will be private. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Ryan Fiala Scholarship Fund, c/o Ian MacLeod, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Hallett Funeral Home, South Yarmouth, www.hallettfuneralhome.com.