Obituary of Richard G. O'Brien

O'BRIEN - Richard George "Dick", 73, of Ebensburg, died peacefully at home on December 26, 2016 surrounded by family following a long battle with cancer. Born May 20, 1943 in Colver, son of the late Matthew and Gail (George) O'Brien. Preceded in death by parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law, James F. Estep, Sr. and Jean (McSparran) Estep, two infant siblings, and infant twin Granddaughters Meghan and Marie O'Brien. Survived by wife of 48 years, Martha (Estep) O'Brien, Ebensburg, daughter, Kelly Anne, Revloc, son Kevin S. O'Brien and daughter-in-law Rebecca (Guilliouma), Ebensburg, as well as grandsons, Justin Jeffers, Kendallville, Indiana, William Alexander Jeffers, Revloc, Abigail, Jameson, Liam, Isabel, and Finnegan O'Brien, all of Ebensburg. Mourned by close family, aunt Margaret George, Greensburg, sister Patricia (Ben) Tuchi, Tucson Arizona, James F. Estep, Jr., Thomas A. (Susan) Estep III, Ebensburg, David F. (Cath) Estep, Beverly Massachusetts, son-in-law Harold William (Bill) Jeffers, Kendallville Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. A 1964 graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and a masters degree in the same conferred in 1965 from KSU. Following graduation he was employed at The Ebensburg Center for 33 years, first as a Speech Pathologist and Audiologist, then as the Assistant Superintendent. He was one of the founding fathers of the Zeta Lambda chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Kent State University in 1965, and later became a beloved Chapter Advisor for 22 years. After retiring as Chapter Advisor he worked with Retired US Congressman Bud Shuster to form a Sigma Chi colony, and later chapter, at Saint Francis University. The Sigma Chi Fraternity was a large part of his life and he dedicated himself to being a leader of young men in hopes that they would become leaders of men. For his tireless efforts with the Fraternity, he was awarded the Order of Constantine, the highest award conferred by the General Fraternity in 2015. Since his retirement he has worked with his son at O'Brien Landscaping and the family Christmas Tree Farm where he formed a passion for making wreaths, and helping customers pick a tree to liven their holiday festivities. He traveled to his beloved cottage in Quebec Canada each year to relax and enjoy life spending time with close family friends, having fostered friendships over many years on the lake. He was a member of Holy Name Church in Ebensburg, President of the Holy Name School Council in the early 1990s, overseeing the purchase of the now preschool and music building and property among other upgrades. Friends and family are welcome to join his family on Friday December 30, 2016 at Askew-Houser Funeral Home, Inc. in Ebensburg from 2-4pm and 6-8pm with a 7pm prayer service. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dick’s memory to any of the following: Holy Name School Angel Fund, Kindred Journey, Inc. or The Dorothy Day Outreach Center at Saint Francis University. Funeral arrangements are in the care of the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg.