Robert James O’Brien was born on September 16, 1942 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He was the youngest of six children. While growing up in Manchester he attended school with his siblings. Upon finishing High School, Bob entered the United States Navy.
Bob enlisted in June of 1961 and after completing basic training he was ordered to report to the U.S.S Artculus. His ships orders were to refill carriers with supplies throughout the Mediterranean Sea. While there he visited many countries that included Italy, Spain and France. In 1963, his ship was ordered home to restock and they received orders to supply ships off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Shortly after this Bob resigned his active duty commission. He then finished out his service in the Reserves.
Bob came back state side and shortly after that he met Sandy DeBlois. They dated for several years and then married on February 12, 1966. A year later Bob and Sandy had their first child whom they named Kim. They moved from Manchester to Hookset New Hampshire. Two years later, they had their second child Shawna. A short time later Bob and Sandy moved to Bedford New Hampshire where they lived for 16 years before moving once again.
During his time in Bedford, Bob worked for Associated Grocers as well as having his own electrical business called Bedford Electric. Bob worked both jobs in order to put his wife thru school. Upon completion of Sandy’s college education, the family moved to Mesa, Arizona.
Once in Arizona, Bob was employed at Good Samaritan Hospital before transferring over to Air Evac. Once at Air Evac, Bob has a close call. He developed a brain aneurysm and was hospitalized and not expected to pull thru. Bob was a very stubborn man and pulled thru with flying colors to live another twenty years with his family.
Bob retired in 2003 and they moved to Sun City, Arizona. There he and Sandy developed many friendships with their neighbors and traveled to many different places in their RV. They spent their summers on the beach and their mild winters in Arizona.
In November of 2017, Bob started complaining of difficulty breathing. After going to several different doctors and having different diagnosis, it was determined in March of 2018 that Bob had Lung and Brain Cancer. Bob was admitted to MD Anderson where he underwent Chemotherapy and radiation. Bob put up a good fight up until the end.
Bob has always been a loving and caring man. He was devoted to his family and always put them first. There was nothing that Bob would not do for the people in his life. He was always happy and possessed such a great personality that made him the life of the party and anyone who met him loved him. He was loyal to his friends and would help anyone in need. The rest of the family referred to Bob as Uncle Bobbie and was dearly loved by all. He was a man that anyone would love to know and emulate. He was an inspiration to many and touched so many lives and made them better. He was truly a great man and will be sorely missed.
Bob died July 10, 2018 at home surrounded by family which was his wish. He now resides in heaven with his mother, brother and other family members. A great man was lost to us and will be remembered for all time. Rest in Peace Bob and know that you were loved by all.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18