Bill graduated LeMoyne College in 1970 and earned a PhD in psychology from The Ohio State University in 1975. He retired Chief of Psychiatry and Mental Health at the Veterans' Administration (VA) in Dayton, Ohio after postings in Battle Creek, MI and Newport News, VA. Bill specialized in working with veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse disorders as well as former Prisoners of War. He had a healthy disrespect for authority – shunning, for instance, the congressman who only showed for veteran's parades but did not do the legislative work of veterans' advocacy.
While deeply serious about his work, Bill did not bring it home. He left work on time to be with his wife Julie and their daughter Erin as he prioritized and truly enjoyed his family. A man of equity, he drove Erin’s swimming carpool on par with Julie whom he met in college and married just as soon as she graduated. They were a loving and complementary duo who did a morning 5k run every weekday. They moved across the country several times and eventually formed quite a formidable threesome with Erin – no lack of opinions in the bunch. Bill was a husband who loved unconditionally and with deep support, especially as Julie faced the breast cancer that took her life in 2002. He named his pride in Erin to Erin, ended every conversation with “love ya, bud,” and made sure Erin always texted when she got home.
Bill O’Brien knew tragedy having lost his beloved mother, Mary Lynch O’Brien, in college; his father, George E. O’Brien, before Bill turned 50; and his wife Julia Crimmings O’Brien in their early 50s. And he subsequently showed emotion, felt deep grief, held them for the whole of his life, and found determination to live life fully after loss.
Bill retired from the VA in 2009 and moved to Cape Cod. There he was rewarded with a second love, Jayne O’Brien (or Jayne O’Brien O’Brien as we like to say as her maiden name was of the same superb Irish lineage). Jayne and Bill married in 2019 and reveled in their luck of finding each other and living together in the magical place that is Cape Cod. And together with Jayne, Bill gathered her son David Reinhardt into his life and heart. The best days were those spent on the beach at the end of the day with sandwiches, cookies, wine and Bill’s beloved Coke.
William too was a loving brother to his sister Joanne Knapik, brother-in-law, uncle, and “second-dad.” Nieces and nephews prized the “Uncle Bill gift” not because it was pricey (though he didn’t spare expense for others) but because it was a perfect fit for the individual. He saw and celebrated the talents of his family and encouraged their moves, attempts, and choices. He always showed up.
Bill O’Brien is a good friend to many. In selecting friends, he valued character over titles. He maintained life-long friendships – and always checked in when times were good as well as when times were bad. He was invariably calm in his approach and brought people in. He loved with voice and action.
Bill O’Brien was a life-long athlete – pitcher at LeMoyne College, marathoner, avid Cape Rail Trail cyclist, and took up golf in his 50s. He almost always made the putt or got the out – and, on the rare times he missed, congratulated the opponent. In the last two years, Bill began umping Cape Cod area Little League and high school baseball. One Little Leaguer approached him saying, “you’re, like, a REAL ump.” That’s because Bill called balls and strikes but taught lessons too. One of his love languages was college football (Notre Dame and Ohio State, in that order) and Red Sox baseball. He regularly started the spirited family text chains during big, and not so big, games.
Bill had authentic style. He had great taste and was always put together – unafraid of color and had a watch for every look.
He took his Catholic faith seriously and found true solace in it. He lived the core values of Catholicism in every aspect of his life, favoring faith and acceptance over dogma as guiding principles. He was an active member of Catholic parishes in every city in which he lived, most recently of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Orleans, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made “in memory of Bill O’Brien” to the Julia Crimmings O’Brien ’71 Memorial Scholarship Fund at LeMoyne College (being amended to include both their names; further info on "donation tab" below) or to a scholarship in Bill’s name with the Cape Cod Baseball League. His scholarship will provide financial assistance to Cape kids from lower-income homes so that they can participate in player-run baseball camps throughout the summer. Mail checks addressed to either: (a) Orleans Firebirds; Attn: Nancy Nickerson; PO Box 504; Orleans, MA 02653; or, (b) Brewster Whitecaps; Attn: Youth Clinics; PO Box 2349; Brewster, MA 02631. Please write “Bill O’Brien clinic sponsorship” in the memo line of your check. Alternatively, one can Venmo: @Jayne-OBrien-2. Please specify which team you'd like your scholarship donation to go to in the "what's this for?" box on Venmo and include "Bill O'Brien Cape League Scholarship" in that box as well.
A viewing was held on Sunday, March 10 from 4-7pm at Nickerson Funeral Home in Orleans, MA. A funeral mass was said on Monday, March 11 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Orleans, MA at 11am. Burial was held on Wednesday, March 13 at 1pm in Westfield, MA at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
