Rev. Mr. Gregory R. O'Brien, Jr., 82

Deacon at Church of St. Madeline


Rev. Mr. Gregory R. O'Brien, Jr., 82 of Ridley Park, died August 11, 2011 at CareSource Hospice in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Born in Glenolden, he has been a resident of Ridley Park for 57 years.

Deacon O'Brien was last employed as Business Manager for St. Agnes R.C. Church in West Chester and prior to that was Director of Internal Audit at Hahnemann University Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
He graduated from St. Gabriel's Parochial School in 1942 also attended LaSalle College High School and graduated from St. James High School, Class of 1946. He received his BS Degree in Accounting from LaSalle College in 1951. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, receiving the National Defense Service Medal and the Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal.

Deacon O'Brien was a member of the Church of St. Madeline where he served as a C.C.D. teacher, lector, Eucharistic Minister and was Co-ordinator for the Parish Care for the Sick, Chairman for Parish Catholic Charities and Thanksgiving Clothing Drive, and was also a Founding member of the Parish Men's Organization. He was also a member of the Men of Malvern, St. James Alumni Association and member of the First Class for Permanent Diaconate, and he was ordained in 1986 and also the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree Marian Council.

An avid Philadelphia sports fan, he enjoyed the Little League World Series. In addition to his strong Catholic faith, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He was husband of the late Alice M. Thompson O'Brien, his wife of 56 years, who died August 29, 2010, son of the late Gregory R. and Helen D. Watson O'Brien, brother of the late Richard D. O'Brien and grandfather of the late Beth O'Brien, who died in 1997.

Survivors; sons Gregory R. O'Brien, III (Donna), Timothy J. O'Brien, Patrick F. O'Brien (Carol) and Thomas S. O'Brien (Michell), his brother Louis G. O'Brien and sisters Helen R. McLarnon and Claire M. Goff, five grandchildren and also many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass 10:00AM Thursday at the Church of St. Madeline, Penn St. and Morton Ave., Ridley Park.

Visitation: Wednesday 6 to 9PM and Thursday 8:45 to 9:30AM at the Church.

Burial SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Madeline/ St. Rose School Tuition Assistance Program, c/o 110 Park St., Ridley Park, PA 19078.