Obituary of Joseph D. O'Brien

JOSEPH D. O’BRIEN Bangor & Hampden - Joseph D. O’Brien, 85, passed away peacefully at his home at Avalon Village on January 17, 2016, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in Bangor on December 14, 1930, the youngest son of John M. O’Brien and Josephine (LaBelle) O’Brien. Joseph, also known by many as “Danny”, attended St. John’s Grammar and John Bapst Prepatory High School in Bangor. After his Junior year at Bapst, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four and ½ years on the USS Salem with two years during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge, he attended Higgins Classical Institute to complete his secondary education. He went on to study Electrical Engineering at the University of Maine at Orono and later studied Finance at Husson College. In 1955 he began a long career in the travel industry starting with Northeast Airlines in Miami, Florida and later ran the Bangor Travel Agency for many years. He retired as Vice President of Fleet Bank in Bangor in 1992. In April of 1955 he married the love of his life, Delphine (Veilleux) O’Brien, and together they raised five children in Bangor. After their retirements, both Joe and Delphine enjoyed many years of volunteering for St. John’s Church, many train and bus tours, as well as snow birding to Florida during the winter months. Joe always used to say during retirement years, “I’ve shoveled my snow!” He is survived by his wife of sixty years Delphine O’Brien. He leaves behind five children; Julia O’Brien of Laguna Beach, CA; Lisa and husband Woodie Bartley of Greenville Junction, ME; Gina and husband Joe Sandora of South Portland, ME; Teresa Owens of Fair Oaks, CA; and Dan and wife Lisa O’Brien of South Lyon, MI. He will be missed by his six grandchildren; Dr. Michaella Bartley of Portland, ME; Dr. Bethany Bartley of Boston, MA; Ian Owens of West Hollywood, CA; Jordan O’Brien and partner Lacy Zigrang of Bedford, TX; Nicholas O’Brien & Nolan O’Brien of South Lyon, MI; and one special great-grandchild, Bradley O’Brien of Bedford, TX. Joe was predeceased by four sisters and is survived by his older brother John O’Brien of San Bernardino, CA and younger sister Mary Gertrude and her husband Ron Marchant of Gardena, CA, two sister-in laws, Carolyn Veilleux and Theresa Veilleux both of Bangor as well as several nieces and nephews. His family would like to thank the caregivers at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, Dr. Sarah Chamberlain and the staff at Hampden Family Medicine, Beacon Hospice staff, the Avalon Village staff and the caregivers from Loving Touch for all of their care and support during Joe’s illness. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 AM Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ohio St., Bangor where a luncheon in the parish hall will be immediately afterward. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Lung Association of Maine, 122 Sewall St., Augusta, ME 04330 or at lung.org or St. Paul the Apostle Parish, 207 York St., Bangor. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. Messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com