Francis J. O'Brien

He was born in 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio but lived most of his life in Meriden.

He served as an officer in the US Air Force during WWII and held degrees from Fordham University and the University of CT School of Law. As a partner in the law firm of O'Brien, Komisky, Noonan and Shea, he was admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court and other federal courts.

After appointment as judge of the Meriden City Court in 1959, he was elevated to the Circuit Court in 1961; to the Court of Common Pleas in 1965; and in 1972, he was named Chief Judge of that court. date He was appointed to the Superior Court where he served until his retirement at 81 in 2002.

During his forty-years on the bench, he presided in many jurisdictions throughout the state. But no part of his professional career was more personally satisfying to Judge O'Brien than his final years in Waterbury, where he and the members of that bar held each other in high esteem.

He was a man of abiding faith and had deep commitment to public service in the name of justice. He was devoted to his wife and family with whom he traveled extensively. He enjoyed music, played the piano and sang for many years with the Turner Singing Society of Meriden. He served on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank and of the Meriden-Wallingford Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ann Godfrey O'Brien by two sisters, Geraldine O. Sullivan and Joan V. O'Brien, by his daughter Jean O. Livingston and son-in-law L. Michael Livingston, and sons Francis Gerald (Jerry) O'Brien, Thomas P. O'Brien, and Robert E O'Brien. In addition he is survived by two grandchildren, Peter G. Livingston and Elizabeth M. Livingston, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Mary K. O'Brien

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington to Mary Our Queen Church, 248 Savage St., Plantsville for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice, 267 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451 or Mid-State Medical Center, 435 Lewis Ave., Meriden, CT 06451.

Visitation

Date

Time

Thursday, May, 1, 2008

5-8 p.m.

Visitation Location

DellaVecchia Funeral Home

211 N. Main Street

Southington, CT