John Paul O'Brien

Red Creek John Paul (Jack) O'Brien, 68, passed away quietly at home on January 8, 2015. There will be no calling hours. Jack had three loves in his life: his daughters, his dogs and Red Creek. He is survived by his daughters, Shannon (Brian) Vernaglia and Erin (Kevin) Daly of the Boston area, his sister Jill (Gilbert) McDonald of Mount Laurel, NJ, and his brother Bill O'Brien and his wife Brenda (Teachman) of Red Creek; nephews William (B.D.) O'Brien of Washington, D.C.; Paul (Donna) McDonald, Cherry Hill, NJ, Patrick (Carol) McDonald, Mount Laurel, NJ and nieces Katie (Frank) Motondo, Burlington, NC; Jennifer (John) Owens of Syracuse, Brittany and Brooke O'Brien of Red Creek, as well as five grandchildren: Marina and Rebecca Vernaglia and Declan, Ella and Maeve Daly. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul A. "Dan" and Ruth (Cuyler) O'Brien. Jack graduated from Red Creek Central School in 1964, where he starred in soccer and basketball. He attended the State University of New York at Clarkson for two years before he joined the Army. He served one tour in Vietnam fielding new fire control computer systems at firebases around the country, earning an Army Commendation Medal. On return from his Army service, he finished his education at Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in business. He worked for a time in Red Creek with his brother in Putman & O'Brien and J&B Enterprises, and was also a volunteer fireman. He went on to a working career traveling around the country and the world managing the installation of cell phone towers. He retired in 2007 and returned to Red Creek where he lived with his German Shepherds at Bill & Brenda O'Brien's residence. Contributions in Jack's memory may be sent to a scholarship fund established for nieces Brittany and Brooke O'Brien at http://tinyurl.com/jackobrienmemorial or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Becker-Keysor Funeral Home, Red Creek. www.keysorfuneralhomes.com