O'BRIEN, John W.- (1951-2010). With great sorrow, the O'Brien family announces the death of John W. O'Brien on September 29th, 2010, at The University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. John, aged 59, succumbed to complications from heart failure and a resulting head injury. His devoted wife, six children, son-in-law and two grandchildren all travelled to his bedside and were with him when he died peacefully, surrounded by their prayers.
John leaves a loving and close-knit family to mourn him. He was known for his love and dedication to his wife of 32 years Margie (Ashley), and their children: Alicia, Nicholas (fiancé Christa Rose Renz), Deirdre (husband Jerome Bolger), Conor (girlfriend Jessica Dunn), Timothy and Liam. He also leaves two granddaughters: Majella and Vera.
John was the eldest child of John and Jean O'Brien (Griffin). He is predeceased by his brother Kenneth (in 1982) and his father W. John (in 1994). Bereft at his passing are his mother Jean, his brother Ian, his sister Jeanne, and their families and friends.
John was well known in the oil and gas and shipping industries and had a long career in labour relations. During the last 25 years, he and his family have resided in Nova Scotia, Ontario and now Alberta. He will be forever remembered for his passionate heart, his facility with words, and his love for the sea, especially the St. John's waterfront. For all of his many accomplishments and successes there is only one that he would feel is worthy of acknowledgement - John was an extraordinary father. He was a joyful and fun- loving dad and granddad and his devotion to his children was singular. We grieve for and with them at the enormity of their loss.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for John in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Liturgy in Calgary, with celebrants Father William F. Ashley (brother-in-law of John) and Father Christopher Blust. The Mass and his faith in God was John's consolation to the end. May God have mercy on his soul.