Robert Lincoln O'Brien

Robert (Bob) L. O’Brien, 93, of South Yarmouth, MA died peacefully on September 25, 2020. He was the beloved husband of Susie (Marjorie) K. O’Brien who passed away in 2018, with whom they shared 61 loving years of marriage.

Born in Dorchester, MA and raised in Hingham, MA, he was the son of the late Helen and William O’Brien. Bob was a graduate of Hingham High School and an undergraduate of Boston College.

In 1951, Bob joined the United States Coast Guard as an officer and started his expansive 30 year career. He steadily moved up in the ranks from Ensign to Captain and retired in 1981. Prior to Boston College, he served as a USCG Seaman in WWII.

Bob’s last post before retiring in 1981 was that of chief of staff and deputy commander of the USCG’s First District, the New England District. His responsibilities included supervising district staff and major field activities such as search and rescue, commercial vessel safety and various other responsibilities. He was also deputy director of reserve personnel, chief plans and programs officer and chief budget officer during a 23 year land career that followed service up to commanding officer aboard various Coast Guard cutters. He had assignments in Alaska, several in Boston and four separate tours in Washington, D.C., where ultimately he became the comptroller for the entire Coast Guard.

Immediately following his retirement, Bob accepted a position as Supervisory Administrative Assistant of DPW, Town of Barnstable. He was promoted to DPW Superintendent and after a few years decided he would prefer to spend more time with his family and requested that he transfer to the job of Assistant DPW Superintendent. He retired from the Town of Barnstable in 1999 and was hired in 2000 as Special Assistant to the town Manager and ultimately retired from the Town of Barnstable in 2018. Bob played a critical role in all aspects of the local government in the Town of Barnstable including its organizational structure, financial management and emergency response program to name of few areas.

Bob served on the Steamship Authority Board of Governors for the Town of Barnstable for 25 years until 2016 and as chairman for some of those years. He was instrumental in the transformation of the Steamship Authority fleet including vessel construction, vessel modification and refurbishment projects. Bob also played a critical role in the Authority’s capital projects in Hyannis including reconstruction of the Hyannis terminal and slip improvements.

Bob served on the Barnstable Municipal Airport Commission board for 13 years and retired in 2017.

Bob was a charter member of the Coast Guard Heritage Museum in Barnstable, MA which opened in 2005. He was also a life member of the West Dennis Yacht Club, West Dennis, MA and served as Commodore, 1982-1983. He was also a former member of the Hyannis Yacht Club.

Bob loved traveling and found time to travel with his wife to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Russia, Alaska, Bermuda and the Caribbean. He was also a lifelong sailor and owned various sailboats and power boats over the years.

Survived by his two daughters, Kathryn A. Gaglione and husband, Thomas Gaglione of Seabrook, NH and Elizabeth E. Cunniff and husband, J.M. Cunniff, Jr. of Marblehead, MA and pre-deceased by his son, Mark E. O’Brien. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Alaina Gaglione, Daniel Gaglione and Michael Cunniff.

Funeral mass will be held on Thursday October 1, 2020 at 10 am at St Pius Church, South Yarmouth, MA followed by a burial at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Centerville, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana Farber. For online condolences, please visit www.doanebealameshyannis.com .