Obituary of Daniel O'Brien

Daniel G. O’Brien, a man of faith, family, and love, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday morning, May 20, 2014. He was 72 years old. Dan, son of the late Frank and Grace O’Brien, was born and raised in Somerville. He was a 1959 graduate of Somerville High School. He graduated from Iona College with degrees in Spanish and Music. Dan served as a member of the Irish Christian Brothers, which was one of the best known Catholic Teaching Orders. He served for 12 years at schools in Chicago and New Jersey, including Chapel Hill and Essex Catholic High School. He was a passionate teacher but found that he did not need to be a Brother to teach children. He went to work as a Spanish teacher at Tewksbury High School, where he taught for 26 years. Being a teacher was not a job, but rather a vocation. He engaged students with humor, concern, kindness and passion to encourage self-growth. He traveled with countless groups of students on exchange programs to Spain and England where they were immersed in the language and culture. He was involved in 26 years of musicals at Tewksbury High School and St. Michael’s CYO, which for many students was the highlight of their high school years. He was not only a great teacher, but a memorable one, and he influenced and guided thousands of students to be independent, well rounded, and respected adults. Dan’s presence and influence was evident at home, in the community, and at his church. He loved music and he shared that gift with his children and grandchildren. He found a wonderful home at St. Eulalia Church, where he was a member of their choir for over 35 years. He sang in many operas in Boston. Holiday gatherings at the O’Brien house were always filled with laughter, music, song and of course an overabundance of delicious food prepared by Dan. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Marilyn, a fellow teacher at Tewksbury High School. They shared 39 years together, raising a family, traveling the world, and bringing meaning to each other’s lives. He was a loving, caring and encouraging father to his 3 children. He was always there to support them in their life’s choices and to lend a helping hand. His greatest joy was being “Papi” to his 8 grandchildren. Whether he was watching them play sports, accompanying them to Grandparents’ Breakfasts, attending their concerts or caring for them while their parents worked, Dan saw it as a welcomed gift of time shared with those he loved. Dan will always be remembered for his humor, kindness, concern, cooking skills, and most importantly, the love he shared with all those who came into his life. Dan was the loving husband of Marilyn P. (Coyne). He was the loving father of Paul of Salem, NH, Jennifer Ahern & her husband Richard of Pepperell and Jessica Card & her husband Gary of Dracut. He was the brother of Gregory & his wife Eileen of Bolingbrook, IL, the late Kevin & his late wife Pat and late Paul & his wife the late Rita. He was the proud Papi of Kevin & Ryan Ahern, Aidan & Grace Maston, Devin, Justice & Jackson Card, and Timothy LeBlanc-O’Brien. He was the brother-in-law of Sr. Joan Coyne C.S.J. of Waltham and Thomas & Jayne Coyne of FL. He was the uncle of Beth Mead O’Brien, Terri Cyr, Anne Stahly, Maura, Alex, Jonathan, & Devin O’Brien, Kerri Dalton, Julie McCann, and Kathy Packish. Dan was also survived by many great nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, May 24 at 9:45 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Eulalia Church, Winchester at 11 a.m. Visiting hours Friday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dan’s name may be made to St. Eulalia Church, 50 Ridge St. Winchester, MA 01890. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.st_eulalia.homestead.com