The Rev. Mr. Henry Francis O’Brien, born June 20, 1933 in New Bedford, Maine, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011.
He was the son of Loraine and Henry O’Brien.
After graduating from New Bedford High School, he entered the navy where he served for four years. Once out of service, he married and moved to New Bedford while he waited to accept employment with IBM. He served IBM for 37 years and retired in 1992, moving then to Fairhope.
He served several years on the New York Diocese Pastoral Council. He was CCD Director at St. Catherine Laboure Church for many years. He was ordained a permanent Deacon in the Catholic church on Feb 11, 1978 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
He was especially graced with the gift of preaching, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He earned certification as a chaplain from St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y. He also received certification as a spiritual director from Father Bendict Goershel, using his talents as chaplain in hospitals, nursing homes, shut-ins, and a prison.
For many years he served as spiritual director for the Cursillo and Tresdias religious retreats in the New York area. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Empire State College.
He loved St. Francis and on Feb 21, 1981, he became a Secular Francican in the Franciscan Order and, at the time of his death, was the spiritual assistant for the Little Flock Franciscan Fraternity in Fairhope. He worked at the Mobile Archdiocese Marriage Tribunal as Defender of the Bond for 12 years.
Churches that he served through the years were St. Catherine Laboure, St. Joseph, St. Mary’s, Kingston, N.Y., Christ the King, Daphne and St. Lawrence, Fairhope. He used his life in the service of others … for he truly loved people.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Loraine McCombe; and daughter, Kate Brooks.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Evelyn Fry O’Brien; daughter Kerin O’Brien (Steve); son, Patrick (Kerry); seven grandchildren, Jonathan Bell of Kingston, N.Y., Abby and Torri Brooks of Phoenixville, Pa., Mikaela, Aydan, Conor, and Rileigh Kate O’Brien of Ulster Park, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Pat (Bill) Ferges; nine nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.
Visitation begins at noon with Mass of Christian burial at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church with Father Steve Williams at celebrant. Interment will be held at a later date.
The family requests memorial donations be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church Building Fund.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., Fairhope.
