TEWKSBURY: Joseph W. O’Brien, Sr., age 83, a resident of Tewksbury for 43 years, died Saturday, April 1, 2006 at home with his family by his side.
He was the husband of Dorothy M. (Joyal) O’Brien, with whom he would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on April 18th.
Born in Medford on June 11, 1922, he was the son of the late Joseph P. and Mary V. (McNamara) O’Brien.
Mr. O’Brien was raised in Medford and was graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1940.
Following graduation, he served during World War II in the U.S. Navy Air Corps.
He was honorably discharged from duty on August 31, 1943, having earned the rank of aviation cadet.
Prior to his retirement in 1982, he was employed as a transit operator by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, Local # 589, for 39 years.
Mr. O’Brien was a communicant and former Eucharistic minister of St. William’s Church in Tewksbury.
He enjoyed many activities including; reading historical and Civil War publications, watching old movies and sporting events.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons; Joseph W. O’Brien, Jr. of Boston and Edmond D. O’Brien and his wife Sandra (Jaco) of Tyngsboro; two granddaughters; Erin P. and Julia M. O’Brien both of Tyngsboro; one sister; Grace Birmingham and her husband Thomas of Saugus; one brother; Robert P. O’Brien and his wife Mary of Melrose; sisters-in-law; Bernice Joyal of Mathis, TX, Ellenor Hanson of Goshen, NH and Barbara Joyal of Waltham; also 21 nieces and nephews.
Mr. O’Brien was the brother-in-law of the late Ralph Joyal and Clifford Hanson.
Calling hours Tuesday, April 4th, 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Wednesday,April 5th, 10:30 a.m., from the funeral home. Funeral Mass Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to VNA Middlesex-East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Ave., # 17, Wakefield, MA 01880 or to the charity of your choice are requested.