James O’Brien was born on October 29, 1936, on his family farm in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The son of William and Ellen O’Brien, he shared a happy home with his doting sisters Mary, Brigid, and, Vera. They grew up spending summers at their beloved family farm in Northern Ireland, one of the happiest places of their childhood.
He received most of his education in Dublin, Ireland at St. James Catholic School under the direction of the Christian Brothers. He was an avid reader and loved to talk History, Poetry, Music, and, just about any subject to anyone willing to engage with him. Beyond the books, he always found time to carouse with “the boys” and play hurling and football (soccer).
In June of 1957; at the ripe age of 20, James left his homeland of Ireland to explore new opportunities in America. He landed in New York and settled in Manhattan. Alone in a new country, he quickly made friends through the Irish Social Club and enjoyed his beloved jazz music and the vibrant dance halls. In the winter of 1959, while visiting his uncle, Msgr. Matthew O’Brien in California, he quickly discovered a new love, the warm weather of California. He was soon on his way to California for a new adventure with three of his New York mates.
Easily adapting to the warm California sunshine, James attended a dance at the hall of St John’s Catholic Church and it was here that he met the love of his life, Alicia Carrasco. They married in June of 1962 and shortly after welcomed the first of their four children. They spent their early years in the Tower District and Fresno High area before settling in Northwest Fresno with their four children. In his early years, he could often be found on a soccer field playing, coaching, or discussing his favorite pastime soccer. His passion for soccer led him and his mates to form the first European soccer league of Fresno.
James began working at Bank of America in downtown Fresno in 1959 and remained in banking for 60 years. He worked most of his career in Trust and Estates, he loved his work and was always networking and serving the community until he retired at 81. He was a lifetime member of the Rotary Club of Fresno and generously volunteered on many projects for the club, including one that was very dear to his heart, Rotary Playland.
James was extremely proud to share Ireland with his family and made several trips home with his growing family over the years. He also took advantage of all California had to offer, traveling up and down the coastline exploring from San Francisco to Southern California, including the three nearby National Parks. He especially loved the Central Coast and spent every summer in the sand, unfortunately always forgetting to apply sunscreen to his fair Irish complexion.
James would always say one of his greatest accomplishments was his grandchildren. Living to see the three boys graduate from college and finally get another girl in the family was the greatest gift. He lived to torment them daily with his quizzes of history and endless conversations on current events, politics, and their sport of interest, golf.
He is survived by his wife Alicia of 63 years and their four children; James William O’Brien and his wife Nanette of Carmichael, California; his son Steve O’Brien and his wife Jennifer and their son Griffin of Fresno, California; his son Michael O’Brien and his daughter Roxanne of Long Beach, California and his daughter Kathryn Sperling and her husband Jeff and their two sons Jack and Patrick of Fresno, California; his three sisters Mary O’Brien-Keane, Brigid McCall and Vera Blaney and her husband Noel of Dublin, Ireland and their families.
“Papa”, as he was affectionately known to his grandchildren, he loved his family, a piping hot cup of tea and a slice of brown bread with loads of Irish butter.
And though we grieve, we do not grieve like those without hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
Donations in James' memory may be made to Hinds Hospice 2490 W Shaw Ste. 101 Fresno, CA 93711 https://www.hindshospice.org/, or flowers may be sent to Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair Funeral Home, 836 E Nees Ave Fresno, CA 93720 on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
