Harold (Obie) J. P. O'Brion, Jr.

He was born May 7, 1924 in Portland, Maine, to Margaret (Pineau) and Harold J.P. O’Brion Sr. Obie attended Cheverus High School and graduated from Northeastern Business College in 1952 after his service as a Marine in World War II. He was disabled veteran who joined the Marines in October of 1941 at the age of 17. He was critically wounded while storming the beach at Saipan on June22, 1943. After fifteen months in the hospital, he was honorably discharged in September of 1944. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the State of Maine Silver Star Award. The phrase “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” certainly applied to Sgt. Harold O’Brion. He belonged to the National Association of the 4th Marine Division, Chapter 21. He and his fellow Marines in Maine marched in many parades dressed in their red silk jackets with the gold Marine emblem, their red caps, black pants and spit-shined shoes. They marched tall and proud in perfect alignment and cadence. He was dedicated to Toys for Tots and manned the tables at the Maine Mall in So. Portland for many years. He, his wife and his daughters and their spouses attended for many years the Marine Birthday Ball each November.

Obie married the love of his life, Ethelyn Conley, on March 3, 1945 and together they raised three children. He was a retired Mail Carrier. He delivered the mail during the time that there were two deliveries a day; no postal trucks; carriers took buses to get to their routes; they picked up additional mail from relay boxes along their routes. He was often out delivering mail until 8 or 9 PM. He delivered the mail for many years on Munjoy Hill where his customers were like family. He provided many unknown humanitarian services for the elderly on his route. Kim Murphy, a reporter on his route, wrote a glowing article about her (unnamed) mail carrier. That was Obie! He was President of Little League II from 1962 to 1966. His brother Richard and brother-in-law Tim coached Kippy’s Service, a team that his son and many nephews played for. Obie’s rule was “NOBODY warms the bench, EVERYBODY plays ball”. He was a Knight of Columbus in Sacred Heart parish in Portland and continued his membership at St. Anthony’s in Westbrook. He was an avid golfer and very proud of his “hole in one” at the Riverside Golf Course where you could find Obie, Ethelyn, Richard and Tim on most good days in the summer after his retirement. Obie and Ett were the most faithful of fans, attending sports events, recitals, concerts, and grand parent days at school for all of their children and grandchildren. Family was everything to Obie.

Besides his parents, Obie was predeceased by his brother, Richard. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ethelyn; his daughters Judith Doyon and spouse Albert of Westbrook, Susan Macfarlane and her spouse James of Westbrook; his son, Martin Sr. and his spouse Debra of Portland; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and one more great grandchild due at the end of May! He is also survived by 2 sisters Lauretta Dufour and Carolyn Fuller and 2 brothers, James and Ronald O’Brion all of Portland many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to a time of visitation from 5 to 8 PM at Jones & Hutchins funeral home on Monday, April 18th. A Funeral mass will be said on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00 AM. At St Anthony’s Catholic Church 268 Brown St. Westbrook. Military honors will follow the Mass. A reception for friends and relatives will follow in the church hall. Private interment will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhtchins.com for additional information and to sign Harold’s guestbook

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Harold’s name to either Toys for Tots or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.