Anthony O'Brien Obituary

O'BRIEN ANTHONY ALOYSIUS O'BRIEN On Tuesday, November 27, 2007, Anthony Aloysius O'Brien, of Rockville, MD. Beloved husband of Dorothy E. O'Brien; father of Kathleen (Stanley) Walters; Robert (Theresa), Kevin (Leslie) and John (Molly) O'Brien; grandfather of Stanley and Elizabeth Walters, Maureen, Kathleen Mary, John, Sinead and Fiona O'Brien. Relatives and friends may call at COLLINS FUNERAL HOME, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD, Sunday, from 2 to 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Shrine of St. Jude, 12701 Viers Mill Road, Rockville, MD on Monday, December 3, at 11 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area, 11240 Waples Mill Rd., Suite 402, Fairfax, VA 22030

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Published by The Washington Post from Nov. 29 to Nov. 30, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Anthony O'Brien

13 Entries

John R. O'Brien

December 5, 2007

It was never clear to me what went on with Buddy when he was a child or what had happened to my Grandmother. Buddy, Mary, Jimmy, Theresa and Flossie for some reason had been split up and lived in various locations and their mother, my grandmother, had left or disappeared. Some of the children went to foster care and others went to an orphanage, or so I think. Things were tough all over in the 20’s and 30’s but this does seem extreme.

After the wake I was sitting at the bar with John P., Richard and Bobby and we discussed this. Richard told a story of his father, Bart, going out looking for his sister, Mary, my missing grandmother, because there had been a report of seeing her somewhere in Philadelphia. It was also reported that Buddy and Mary would walk around as children looking for her as well. What I noticed is that none of the parents ever said what had happened to them as children and they decided that we, meaning the children, my family and my cousins, were never to know. This was no doubt a conscious decision they made and they decided to take it to their graves, and they did.

Realizing from the comments my cousins made at that crappy Ramada Inn bar with the flat keg of Bud; that Buddy did not want me to know the sadness he felt as a child has helped me put aside my questions about his childhood. I do see how events shaped the strong sense of family that Mary, Buddy, Jimmy, Theresa and Floss had developed and how it was their intention to stay together as a family. With Mary taking in Buddy and Jimmy after returning from WWII and Buddy helping Mary and Theresa with their families and much more that I don’t know to report here. I am satisfied with their story so far and I am willing to leave it alone as this is how they wanted the story to end.

They did a good job of helping each other on in life; where they each found their way and went on to live meaningful and successful lives.

I should hope for as much.
...

Rita Wasilewski

December 4, 2007

Kathy, Bobby, Kevin and John, I know you had a wonderful father, but I wish you could have known what it was like to have an Uncle Buddy. He was the best. Aunt Dottie, you were the source of his joy and the twinkle in his eye. Thank you all for inspiring him to be the great man we all love and miss so much.

May his legacy of kindness and compassion continue in all those who knew him. Uncle Buddy, you're my hero.

Kay Warren

December 3, 2007

Dear Kathy,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember meeting your Dad many, many years ago at your home in Rockville. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.

Kay Warren

Anne Sullivan (Acree)

December 2, 2007

Dear Aunt Dottie, Kathy, Bobby, Kevin, John and families,
What a treasure we all had with our Uncle Buddy. I will never forget his large,loud O'Brien laugh especially amplified if Uncle Jimmy was in town; and his Christmas Eve visits to our house with many gifts in tow. We always appreciated the kindnesses that Buddy and Dottie showed to our family. Although we have already been missing him for some time, the reality of this loss has now really sunk in. He has now joined all his siblings in heaven and we pray that they all rest in peace.

Gerry Ceresini

December 2, 2007

To the O"Brien Family,

I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Mr. O'Brien was truly an inspiration to me in my younger years on Weiss Street, and later in Life as I entered the business world and started a Family of my own. My wish would be to live in a neighborhood with neighbors as great as I experienced growing up on Weiss Street. With deepest sympathies from my entire family to yours.

Zahra Castellano

December 1, 2007

Uncle Buddy was such a kind, wonderful man. I remember when I was a little kid, he always had time to talk to me and play with me. I was always eager to visit Uncle Buddy and Aunt Dottie's house.

I wish my husband had been able to meet him. He and I are both so sorry for your loss.

Ed Stotz, Jr.

November 30, 2007

Mrs.O'Brien, John, Kathy,Bobby,Kevin my thoughts are with you today.

Your Dad always said the right thing. He encouraged me to study for the CPA and always attended our games. I know Kevin remembers him showing up at many GC football games, St. Jude Baseball etc. Remember the Indian Guides? He always smiled and was interested in all we did.

My brother and sister have so many wonderful memories of him. I still remember all of us singing in the car as went on one of our trips. He was always happy and wonderful to be around.

Cecilia Freeman

November 29, 2007

Dear Aunt Dottie & family,
Our deepest sympathies to you all. What a great loss - Uncle Buddy was one of the best! Please know you're in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Cecilia & Steve and family

Dianne Foley

November 29, 2007

Dear Dottie and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss! Buddy was such a sweet and kind man. I will always remember how good he was to Aunt Helen and my grandmother. Rest in peace Buddy!
Love,
Dianne, Bryan, Bryan, Kaitlyn & Alyssa Foley

DENISE FLEMING

November 29, 2007

All our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We all loved Buddy and will miss him very much.

Love
The Fleming Family
Bill, Denise, Christie, Sean & Michele

Mike Stotz

November 29, 2007

Mrs.O'Brien,Kathy,Bobby,Kevin,John my thoughts are with you today.My memories of Mr. O'Brien are so beautiful!He was a wonderful,kind, man who made myself and many other kids happy on so many occasions!I'll never forget him out front as we played football saying "you guys want to go to the Senators game?"True to form two FULL station wagons were on there way,his treat.I can picture him in Heaven nodding politely as my mother(Dottie)chats up a storm!He was a GREAT man.Rest in peace Mr.O'Brien,thanks for everything!

Carol McCloskey

November 29, 2007

Dear Dottie and Family,

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I have so many good memories of Buddy, especially the Sunday's we spent at the Eagles football games. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time and the days ahead.

Love,
Carol

Catherine Riley

November 28, 2007

Uncle Buddy was a great man. He faithfully drove many miles from his own home and family to humbly deliver gifts to us every Christmas Eve - memories I will cherish forever.

Thanks to Richard P. for sharing the picture of the O'Brien siblings, as the twinkle in all of their eyes shows they are having a big Irish party together up in heaven.

May God bless you Uncle Buddy!

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