1926
Rev.
2013
Rev. James Edward O'Brien
July 6, 1926 — May 13, 2013
YOUNGSTOWN - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 20, at 4 p.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, 5235 South Ave. in Boardman for Reverend James Edward O'Brien, 86, who died Monday, May 13, at Hospice of the Valley, Hospice House.
Father O'Brien was born July 6, 1926, in Cleveland, a son of James and Sarah Feller O'Brien.
Raised in the Cleveland area, he attended St. Patrick Parish Grade School in West Park and graduated in 1944 from the Holy Name High School. From 1944 until 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy.
Father O'Brien received his Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Business Administration from Kent State University prior to entering St. Philip Neri in Haverhill, Md., where he studied both Latin and Greek. Choosing to enter the Trappist Monastic life, Fr. O'Brien served from 1952 until 1954 at Our Lady of Gethsemani and from 1954 until 1956 at St. Paul's Benedictine Abbey in Newton, NJ. He completed his theology studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati.
Father O'Brien was ordained on May 28, 1960, in the Cathedral of St. Columba by the Most Reverend Emmet Walsh. He officiated his first Mass on May 29, 1960.
Following ordination, Father O'Brien continued to pursue his education, earning a Master's in Education and Administration from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind. Father O'Brien served as parochial vicar of the former Immaculate Conception (St. Angela Merici) Parish in Youngstown. In June of 1965, he was named to the faculty of Mooney High School and in 1967 as faculty member at Ursuline High School, both of Youngstown. Father served as Chaplain at St. Mary's Home for the Aged in Youngstown while teaching at Ursuline. In 1970, he became Director of a three-priest team at the Newman Center at Kent State University and eventually served as pastor of the Newman Center. In 1983, he was appointed pastor of St. Michael Parish in Canfield. Father O'Brien retired in 1998.
Father O'Brien was passionate about the Retrouvaille International Program (a program for troubled marriages) and actively counseled married couples in Youngstown. He enjoyed traveling, skiing, and tennis, and all the time he had with good friends and family around the country.
Father O'Brien is survived by one sister, Louise Sandercock of Hudson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Father O'Brien was preceded in death by four sisters, Virginia Mazanec, Corinne Ginley, Anne Russell, and Gretchen Swann; and one brother, Frank O'Brien.
Friends will be received Monday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church.
Contributions may be made to The Beatitude House, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504.
Arrangements are by the Davidson Becker Funeral Home in Struthers.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
Father O'Brien was born July 6, 1926, in Cleveland, a son of James and Sarah Feller O'Brien.
Raised in the Cleveland area, he attended St. Patrick Parish Grade School in West Park and graduated in 1944 from the Holy Name High School. From 1944 until 1946, he served in the U.S. Navy.
Father O'Brien received his Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Business Administration from Kent State University prior to entering St. Philip Neri in Haverhill, Md., where he studied both Latin and Greek. Choosing to enter the Trappist Monastic life, Fr. O'Brien served from 1952 until 1954 at Our Lady of Gethsemani and from 1954 until 1956 at St. Paul's Benedictine Abbey in Newton, NJ. He completed his theology studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati.
Father O'Brien was ordained on May 28, 1960, in the Cathedral of St. Columba by the Most Reverend Emmet Walsh. He officiated his first Mass on May 29, 1960.
Following ordination, Father O'Brien continued to pursue his education, earning a Master's in Education and Administration from Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind. Father O'Brien served as parochial vicar of the former Immaculate Conception (St. Angela Merici) Parish in Youngstown. In June of 1965, he was named to the faculty of Mooney High School and in 1967 as faculty member at Ursuline High School, both of Youngstown. Father served as Chaplain at St. Mary's Home for the Aged in Youngstown while teaching at Ursuline. In 1970, he became Director of a three-priest team at the Newman Center at Kent State University and eventually served as pastor of the Newman Center. In 1983, he was appointed pastor of St. Michael Parish in Canfield. Father O'Brien retired in 1998.
Father O'Brien was passionate about the Retrouvaille International Program (a program for troubled marriages) and actively counseled married couples in Youngstown. He enjoyed traveling, skiing, and tennis, and all the time he had with good friends and family around the country.
Father O'Brien is survived by one sister, Louise Sandercock of Hudson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Father O'Brien was preceded in death by four sisters, Virginia Mazanec, Corinne Ginley, Anne Russell, and Gretchen Swann; and one brother, Frank O'Brien.
Friends will be received Monday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church.
Contributions may be made to The Beatitude House, 238 Tod Lane, Youngstown, OH 44504.
Arrangements are by the Davidson Becker Funeral Home in Struthers.
Visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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