SPENCER – Br. Christopher O’Brien, O.C.S.O. a Lay Brother of St. Joseph’s Abbey in
Spencer, died very peacefully Sunday, January 29, in Saint Joseph’s Abbey Infirmary.
Born James Patrick O’Brien on November 10, 1939, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to
Joseph L. O’Brien and Mary C. Cullen of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, he was a proud
graduate of Msgr. Bonner Catholic High School in Drexel Hill.
In 1957, he entered the Trappist order as a Lay Brother postulant directly out of high
school, receiving the name Brother Christopher. He pronounced his solemn vows as a Lay Brother in 1965.
Over the years Brother Christopher lived the life of a dedicated Trappist Lay Brother,
working tirelessly at many and various jobs: landscaper and groundskeeper, cook, overall maintenance, special occasions coordinator, liaison for contractors, gift shop buyer and at Trappist Preserves, the abbey’s jams and jellies industry.
Brother Christopher was predeceased by his brothers John and Joseph, and his sisters Gertrude, Mary, Helen and Sheila. In addition to his religious brothers at the abbey, he leaves his sisters Cecilia and Margaret, his devoted nephews, Joe, Eric and Derek, and their families, as well as numerous friends from his many years in contact with contractors for the abbey who, through Brother’s warmth and his welcoming hospitality, became his dear friends. With gratitude for the wonderful gift of his presence among us, the brothers commend Brother Christopher’s soul to your prayers. There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass and burial will take place at the abbey on Saturday, February 4th at 2:30 PM.
J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer, is directing arrangements.