Edward J. O'Brien III

Edward James "Ed" O'Brien, III - Husband, Father, Counselor, Patriot - died peacefully on Thursday, July 18, at the age of 73, surrounded by his family. Ed was born in Pittsburgh, PA on November 25, 1939 to Edward J. O'Brien, Jr. and Janet Haverty O'Brien. A graduate of Loyola High School in Baltimore, MD and the United States Naval Academy Class of 1961, he served his country for 24 years, retiring with the rank of Commander. After continuing his engineering and oceanography career with Mobil Oil, Ed pursued his true passion of helping others, achieving his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Woman's University in May, 2002. An integral member of the St. Rita Catholic Community since 1981, Ed served St. Rita and the greater Dallas community as a marriage and family therapist for the past 12 years. Throughout his life, Ed was a tireless advocate of faith-centered marriages, working both professionally and personally through the Catholic Church to promote and advance healthy marriage and family life. His dedication was further witnessed through his unceasing love and devotion for his surviving spouse of 50 years, Sandra S. O'Brien, and his surviving children- Edward James O'Brien, IV of Spotsylvania, VA; Tim O'Brien of Round Rock, Texas; Dan O'Brien of Memphis, TN; Mary O'Brien Green of Dallas, TX; and Paddy O'Brien of London, England - and their spouses and families, including 15 grandchildren. Ed is also survived by his five brothers and four sisters. He was predeceased by his parents, Edward James O'Brien, Jr. and Janet Haverty O'Brien, and by his step-mother, Barbara B. O'Brien, as well as his daughter, Kathleen Marie O'Brien. A memorial mass will be held at St. Rita Catholic Church, 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX. 75244 at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 24. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Ed's honor/memory to The Rachel Ministries of the Catholic Pro-Life Committee at: CPLC, P.O. Box 803541, Dallas, TX 75380 ATTN: The Rachel Ministries, or online at www.prolifedallas.org/donations.