Joseph P. O’Brien
Retired Northeast Metro Tech Administrator and Educator
TEWKSBURY: Joseph P. O’Brien, age 73, a resident of Tewksbury for the past 44 years, passed away at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on Friday, November 5, 2021.
He was the beloved husband of Joanne M. (DiGiampaolo) O’Brien with whom he celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on June 17, 2021.
Born in Cambridge on March 19, 1948, he was the son of the late John O’Brien and the late Louise (Rooney) O’Brien.
Joe was raised in Somerville, attended St. Catherine’s Parochial Grammar School and graduated from Matignon High School. Following high school, Joe received his Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College, Master’s Degree from Northeastern University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Boston State College.
Joe was employed as a math teacher at the Medford Vocational Technical High School until transitioning to administration at Northeast Metro Tech in Wakefield. In addition, he was a tireless advocate for vocational, technical school education funding and was a member of the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA).
He was a former member and served as president of the Tewksbury Youth Soccer Program from 1986-1992. During his tenure, Joe assisted in the founding of the Sal Frasca Soccer Fields as well as the development of the fall soccer program.
Besides his wife Joanne, he is survived by his three children, Kerry O’Brien, MD and her husband Jonathan M. King, John H. O’Brien and his wife Tiffany of Tewksbury and Joseph P. O’Brien, Jr. and his wife Tracey of Tewksbury. He was the grandfather of Liam King, Connor, Aiden, Christian and Cole O’Brien. Brother of Marylou Hurley and her husband Daniel, and the late Rev. John H. O’Brien, James F. O’Brien, Esq., and Stephen O’Brien. He leaves many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Calling hours are Thursday, Nov. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Friday, Nov. 12, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral mass at 10 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joseph P. O’Brien can be made online via bidmc.org/give or by check made payable to “Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center” with “Transplant Patient Fund #23984” on the memo line. Contributions can be mailed to: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Office of Development, 330 Brookline Avenue (OV), Boston, MA 02215.