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JOHN O'BRIEN Obituary
Rev. JON J. O'BRIEN, S.J
On July 31, 2013 of the Georgetown Jesuit Community. A Jesuit for 60 years and a priest for 50 years. He is survived by his Jesuit brothers and many loving nieces and nephews, including Bonnie, Robert and Richard Johnson, Patricia Skopal, Nancy, George, Kevin and Sharon O'Brien, James and Brian Smale. Friends may call on Sunday, August 4, 2013 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Jesuit Residence at Wolfington Hall at the Georgetown Campus. There will be viewing on Monday, August 5, 2013 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 36th & O Sts. N.W. from 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment at the Jesuit Cemetery, Georgetown University. Arrangements by DeVOL.
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN O'BRIEN
John MacGregor
August 26, 2013
Mass for the repose of Fr.Jon's soul was celebrated at the church of St.Francis Xavier, Hereford, UK, on the feast of the Assumption, 15th August 2013, arranged by his cousins.
Parishioner
August 18, 2013
Thank you for your thoughtful homilies, full of wisdom and always so well structured and delivered. Thank you for your quick and enduring wit, and the joyful spark that shone in your eyes, especially bright whenever you saw children. You were the finest example a priest could be, and an inspiration to strive towards a more loving life, closer to God. I will miss you at St. Katherine Drexel.
Kath
August 16, 2013
Requiescant in pace
Daly family descendent, Melbourne Australia
August 14, 2013
Dr. Jon O'Brien, S.J., my fraternal friend is gone.
His was a life of guilelessness and humility.
The humility of a man educated in law, medicine, and theology.
His was a diverse life of the mind to better protect his inspiration-love of God (paraphrasing Rilke).
But most men's friendships are really too inarticulate, says William James.
I will miss my old friend.
- Jack McNelis, Philadelphia
Rev. Anthony Pogorelc, SS
August 8, 2013
Jon was a dear colleague at Theological College and a friend. He combined wisdom and humor. He made great contributions to the lives of those he served as a priest and doctor. I will miss him. A great Jesuit, he died on the same day as St. Ignatius. I will offer Mass for his eternal rest.
john stapleton
August 7, 2013
Jon O'Brien was a kind and humble Jesuit who served Georgetown's medical school for years with quiet efficiency ---- highly regarded by students and faculty. alike.
Marty Walsh
August 7, 2013
Fr. Jon O'Brien and I served as spiritual reflectors for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps durng the past few years. I made it a point to always speak with him at the spiritual reflectors annual gathering . But, I mostly looked at his gentle kind face and listened intently when he offered a wise observation or comment in the meeting. Having studied as a Jesuit for nine years and having had the saintly Fr. Tom Burke sj as my spiritual director and close friend, I immediately knew I was in the presence of a very holy man in Fr. O'Brien. I didn't know anything about his work or his academic degrees. I just knew he radiated the deep loving joy, understanding and compassion of Christ. Thank you for offering me and others the opportunity to share the gift of Fr. Jon O'Brien SJ in our lives.
August 6, 2013
Father O'Brien provided a light for all those privileged to hear him at St. Katherine Drexel. He will be missed by many, but he left us with hope and inspiration. He got it! S.C. Monaghan and Family, Haymarket, VA
Rev. Dan Carson
August 6, 2013
Fr. Jon was my Spiritual Director the past year for my first year as a priest for Washington. He was a great priest and a good friend to me helping me through my first year, as well as through the sudden death of my father. I will dearly miss him. But, I know he has more than earned his place to live with Our Lord. -- Fr. Dan Carson
Fr. Joe Biniek
August 5, 2013
Fr John's presence has made all of us better people and a better church. He was indeed a sign of God's graciousness to us. In my heart I think of him as my priest. Thank you. Fr John
William Ayers, M.D.
August 5, 2013
I earlier shared a note about Jon as a member of the spiritual, professional, and academic ember of th Gusom community. What a gratifying tribute to read the gratifying comments from his "last" vocation at Katherine Drexal in Haymarket, Va. He was from Philadelphia after all.
William Ayers, M.D.
August 5, 2013
I earlier shared a note about Jon as a member of the spiritual, professional, and academic member of th Gusom community. What a gratifying tribute to read the comments from his "last" vocation at Katherine Drexal in Haymarket, Va. He was from Philadelphia after all.
Carmen Jackson
August 5, 2013
Father, We will miss you in our lives!
Jeanne Lynch
August 4, 2013
A great Jesuit, a great man and such a great friend!
Jeanne Lynch
Alexandria, VA
Mark Travers
August 4, 2013
What a great honor to have met and shared the Lord with Fr. O'Brien. As a visiting priest at St. Katherine Drexel mission, his homespun sermons and gentle demeanor made him feel like one of our own. A man of true humility and wisdom. My son, Cody, shared the same experiences while being altar server at this masses at St. Katerine's for many years and always enjoyed the time Fr. O'Brien spent in conversation with him on the Lord and life in general. May he rest in peace with the Lord.
Carol Seely
August 3, 2013
Thank you Fr. Jon for all you gave to the St. katharine Drexel community. We so appreciated your love, support and guidance.
We will always have the fondest memories of our Fr. Jon.
We love you.
Gail O'Flynn
August 3, 2013
We will miss you and hope that you knew how much the St Katharine Drexel mission appreicated your thoughtful homilies and gentle and humble ways. I will continue to pray for you-God's blessing on you!
Jeanie Sweeney
August 3, 2013
I remember a sharing time with Fr Jon at an Ignation Volunteer Corp reflectors meeting. It was both deep and hilarious...such a gentle intelligence, delightful humor and humility.
William Ayers, M.D.
August 3, 2013
Jon O'Brien was a gentleman and a scholar. His love of Medicine and Georgetown was of the highest order. For 13 years we were jointly appointed Associate Deans sharing many common interests and duties. He was a consumate Jesuit.
August 3, 2013
I remember Fr. Jon being a sharing partner at one Ignatian Volunteer Reflector's meeting, both deep and hilarius all at one. He remains in my heart as a lovely man.
joan white
August 3, 2013
father jon was friend and mentor, we shared many alaugh and tear together. he was afriend i will rememer and miss always. we now have our own saint in heaven , watching over his cafeteria cathredral at st kathryn drexel from heaven. it may be heavems gain but it is our loss, we love you
joan white
August 3, 2013
father jon was a great man . we were able to share many years with him at st kathryn drexel he was friend and mentor and such a gentle soul he will be missed so much and remembered by all
Irene Hessler
August 3, 2013
How sad I am to hear that Fr. Jon will no longer be with us to celebrate mass at St. Katherine Drexel on Sundays. His love, words of wisdom and alway his humor have touched our lives forever. You always brought us so much love and sense of community with your homilies Fr. Jon, we will never forget you. We have truly lost a great priest and a friend forever! May you be at peace in heaven!
August 3, 2013
Fr. Jon was such a loving presence in our community. We will miss him.
Pat Durkin
Bonnie Slate
August 2, 2013
Rest in peace Uncle Jon! I will always remember our special memories! I am truly sorry I will not be there to celebrate your life, but know how much I loved you!
Haelie Guiney
August 2, 2013
Everyone looked forward to the masses when Fr. Jon O'Brien would be the visiting priest. My son, Bobby always looked for that red Toyota Camry with the DC license plate in the parking lot. He enjoyed being an altar server especially when Fr. Jon presided. He actually cried when I told him the news. He will be sorely missed and many will miss his thought provoking homilies.
Betty Jerry Schroeder
August 2, 2013
We were blessed to meet Father John thru his niece Pat Skopal.He was always smiling an love being there for Family Baptism, Weddings etc. A memory in life of a special Priest.
August 2, 2013
Fr Jon was my spiritual reflector in the Ignatian Volunteer Corps and a dear friend to me for many years. He was a reflection of Christ's love and mercy to me.. Bob Thomsen
August 2, 2013
Fr Jon was my spiritual reflector in the Ignatian Volunteer Corps and a reflection of Christ's mercy and love for me for many years. I will miss my dear friend. Bob Thomsen
Lisa Haering
August 2, 2013
Fr. Jon O'Brien was a shining light, and loving shepherd to St. Katharine Drexel for many years. What would we have done without him?! How much less would our community be, if we had never been touched by his love? Father, you will be sorely missed! What a blessing you have been to us! It is a dark day for all of us at SKD -- we love you!
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