Patrick O'BRIEN

O'BRIEN, Patrick "Coach", passed peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, in the arms of his wife, Patricia O'Brien, surrounded by friends and family, at his home on Friday July 26 at 5:00 PM. Patrick would have said, "It's 5:00 o'clock some where". He is the father of Patrick "Clint" O'Brien, and considered Mike Segien, Robert "Scott" Graham and Jennifer Paige Graham Purcell, as his very own children. He is the brother of Phil O'Brien, married to Gayle O'Brien of Lakeland, FL and Tom O'Brien, married to Shelley O'Brien, from Silver Springs, N.Y. He is known as Coach O'Brien, for 38 years, at Franklin Middle School, Hillsborough County, FL. He was more than a coach to several generations of students, parents and grandparents. A national sports news network interviewed him recently, about his lifelong weight lifting accomplishments. Coach O'Brien was dubbed, the "father of the dead lift". He was an inspiration to athletes and potential athletes of all ages. He believed they could accomplish any goal through hard work. He saw everyone's potential for success. His many friends and extensive family will celebrate his life this Tuesday July 30, 2013 from 4 to 6 PM at Blount & Curry Funeral Home on 3207 Bearss Avenue. As Pat would have enjoyed, friends are invited to continue the celebration at his favorite "Watering Hole", Bally Hoo's, on Erhlich Road from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.