On Thursday, October 14, 2021 Leo Patrick O’Brien died peacefully and comfortably at New Horizons Assisted Living Facility in Marlborough, MA.
Leo’s life began on September 22, 1925 with a simple act of kindness. Born to Mary O’Brien (O’Brien) of Bantry, County Cork, Ireland and Michael O’Brien of Glengarriff, County Cork, Ireland, it was planned that he be named Patrick. But a grieving mother of Italian heritage, lying in a neighboring bed in the hospital maternity ward, made a request. Could the newest O’Brien baby be given the name of the grieving mother had planned on giving her own son who had just died during childbirth? And, so in the kind act, Leo Patrick was named.
Leo grew up in a close-knit family at 193 Riverside Avenue, in Medford, MA. Brothers James, John, Francis and Cornelius as well as his sister Mary clambored for space. A childhood of adventures in Medford and nearby Medford Square as well as swims in nearby Mystic River ensued.
Leo attended the Vocational High School in Medford in 1943. After high school, after working for a few months, Leo enlisted in the Navy in December of 1943. Just like all of his brothers, Leo served in the military. He served in World War II and finished in April, 1946. Leo served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Lowndes APA 154 as a Machinist Mate Third Class. In action, his duties involved manning the beach landing craft that brought Marines to the beaches. Leo fought in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Leo had distinct memories of unloading Marines as they embarked on the beach, picking up injured soldiers off the beach and spending a night in the open craft as the battle raged on. His last minute planning had him grab a number of rags on his ship to stop up gaps in the payload of the landing craft and preventing the craft from being swamped.
Upon return from his WWII Naval duty, Leo resumed working at The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, aka A&P. With a little bit of money in his pocket, Leo took trips to Ireland in the mid-1950’s. Leo connected with aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as to the countryside and culture. Although, as an American-born veteran, he was always clear, “I am an American but I have Irish heritage.” It was a heritage he cherished his entire life.
Leo met Margaret “Mardie” O’Donnell of Everett, MA and they dated for about a year before being married on September 14, 1957 and embarking on a long married life together. Not long after being married, they bought a house at 18 Baldwin St in Malden, MA. That became their home for the next 60 plus years.
Steeped in their Catholic faith, Leo and Mardie started a family. They had 8 children: Sharon, Michael(d. 1981), Mary, Neil (Claire Gibbings), Anne (Marc Spiegelman), Caroline (Chris Moroney), Gerard (Alanna Freeman) and Roisin (Eric Avidon).
What could Leo NOT do? It’s hard to tell. Frugality, being a staple of a life learned growing up in the Depression, was now part of succeeding as a family of 10. Living in the downstairs apartment of their two-family house, Leo built an enclosed back porch with a tool shed underneath. Then, with the move into the upstairs, he installed a second bathroom. He put in a workshop area in the front of the basement where all manner of things could be repaired, fashioned and constructed. He built his own table saw that then expanded his operations and capabilities. He was a framer, builder, painter, wallpaperer and finish carpenter on all manner of repair and upkeep at the house.
He made his children what they needed: foot lockers, ping pong tables, basketball hoops, picture frames, canvasses for painting, a pottery wheel, a card-writing desk, and for several years, a backyard ice skating rink.
He had a way with cars and extending their life past when all others had given up hope. He often drove them so long he made their final drive to the junkyard. He knew his way around a sewing machine and became a tailor of sorts for his children.
Leo was gregarious and could carry on a conversation with just about anyone. This served him well as he worked his way up as a meat cutter to managing the meat department. It certainly came in handy in serving customers at A&P in communities like Newton, Brighton and South Boston.
Leo brought good cheer, a good work ethic and integrity when he was in the community working or volunteering. He carried a happy Irish tune in his heart and could be heard humming it or singing it to himself.
Leo was the type of Catholic parishioner pastors hope will congregate in their parishes. At Sacred Hearts, he served lector, eucharistic minister, usher, extraordinary minister (serving eucharist to homebound and nursing home residents). He and Mardie became altar servers as seniors, serving at funerals. He was a member of the Holy Name Society, doing a term as president. He was integral to the putting on of the annual Irish Night and Turkey-Rama.
His artwork and signage-making led him to study and utilize calligraphy for his own use, as well as his parish’s use and his family’s.
Food was a major conduit for Leo’s hospitality. “Can I make you a sandwich?” was a common refrain around the house. Holiday Turkeys were his mainstay: Thanksgiving, Christmas and a week later, New Year’s Day. Only once did his gravy meet his high standards and could be referred to as “the nectar of the gods”. And always, always was, maybe, his favorite: tasty turkey soup made from the carcass. He liked giving people a good meal. In fact, he liked it so much that when his children were grown, he and Mardie volunteered regularly, making meals and serving folks at The Bread of Life in Malden.
The fact of the matter is, Leo liked knowing that he was being helpful. He liked knowing that he was helping people out. Need a ride somewhere? Let me drive you or pick you up. If something were asked of him and he thought he could do it, he would do it. Use a video camera to capture special parts of your wedding? Done. Tape a tv show on the vcr that might interest you? Absolutely. VCR tapes, interesting articles, you name it; if it could be packaged and mailed, then Leo would find a way to get it to you.
When Leo’s pastor declared “Leo, you’re an OLD SCHOOL Catholic”, they laughed, but it was true. Leo said grace before every meal. He loved praying the Rosary, and, unfailingly, he gave a tip of the cap to every single Catholic church he passed in his car. Every one. He treated Sundays as he learned, it was a day of rest to spend with friends and family. His shirt and tie were a Sunday staple from morning until night.
Leo was incredibly practical, predictable and organized. He believed in the good of humanity and he tried to live his life intentionally. His faith was the solid foundation he built his life upon.
He was a good man, he was beloved, and he will be missed.
Relatives & friends are invited to attend his funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Tuesday October 19th at 9 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at the Church of the Sacred Hearts, 315 Main St., Malden at 10 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Monday October 18th from 4-7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Bread of Life, 214 Commercial St., Suite 209, Malden, MA 02148.
At the request of Leo's family, please practice social distancing and wear face masks if you plan on attending any of the services.