William D. O’Brien passed away on Saturday, March 9, 2019 in Bennington, VT after a brief illness.
Bill was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Maureen (Auntie Moe). He is survived by his two brothers, Jim (Colleen) Spokane, WA, and Michael (Mai) Natick, MA, and sister, Kathy (Kelly Shea), Rochester, NY, along with nieces, nephews and friends.
Bill was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1949. His father, Bill and mother, Mary soon moved the family to Natick, MA. He attended St. Patrick’s School, Xavier HS, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in history from the College of the Holy Cross. Years later he received an MBA from SUNY Albany.
Bill was married to Cynthia Papa Lentini for 20 years and they remained close friends for many years, including during his recent illness.
Bill joined the Coast Guard in 1971 and proudly served for four years. After leaving, he used his skills in managing food service operations in Bennington, VT, Holyoke, MA, and Springfield, MA, before retiring in 2016. Bill really enjoyed his work and was liked by all his staff.
Bill also loved being with family- trips to Natick, MA, Rochester, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Cape Cod and Spokane, WA kept him very busy. He also loved rooting for New England sports teams, staying in touch with his Holy Cross, Springfield and Holyoke friends. Bill also loved the 40 years of the O’Brien Open Golf Tournament, which gathered together many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews every year since 1977.
Interment will be held privately, and a celebration of life will be planned for Bill in the summer of 2019.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.