Basil (Bud) O'Brien
Basil Parker O'Brien, 78 of Springhill, N.S. passed away suddenly with his family close on July 23, 2017 at the CRHCC. Born in Springhill, N.S on Jan 12, 1939 he was the son of Harold Emmerson O'Brien of Joggins, N.S and Lena Hachey of Dartmouth, N.S.
Bud wore many hats such as Dad, Papa, Pa, Dud, Dudley, Big Bud, Buddy, Silver Streak, Buddy Bumper and multiple other unknown alises. He was a beautiful guitar and harmonica player and enjoyed finger picking. He enjoyed listening to Blue Grass, Conway Twiggy, Statler Brothers, Harry Hibs, Oakridge Boys and any old time country. He loved to go fishing, hunting, camping or to the beach. He enjoyed taunting and tormenting his family; always making everyone laugh. He was a man that liked to be on the go but his favourite time spent was with family.
Bud enjoyed doing wood work, gardening, painting and specialty crafts; you can find his folk art all over the maritimes. He enjoyed cooking - they called him Baisy Crocker, he loved making hodge podge, fishcakes, boiled dinners and stews.
In Bud's younger years he was a delivery man in Toronto, ON as well as a highway worker in Saint John, N.B. Bud enjoyed the freedom of driving his gold wing anywhere it would take him. In his later years he made his way back to the east coast where he continued his life as a family man. He worked as a lobster fishermen, building modular homes, and further highway construction before retiring due to health reasons.
Now a day's Bud loved spending time at Tim Hortons, gardening, working on projects, hanging out with his dog Brutus and spending time with family. He kept a beautiful property and enjoyed his ride-on.
Basil was predeceased by his mother Lena O'Brien, brother Stanley (Junior) O'Brien, step-mother Leona O'Brien and father Harold Emmerson O'Brien. He is survived by his wife Viola (Hilden) O'Brien, his children Shannon (O'Brien) Shephard (Francois Robichaud), Michael O'Brien (Debbie Cvitkovich), and Basil (Bud) O'Brien Jr., his grandchildren Felicia (Aaron), Lacey, Joshua, Michael and Thane, his god daughter Aimie Black and her brother Garfield Brine Jr., niece Mary Brien Melanson and nephew Eric Melanson as well as many other family and friends who meant the world to him.
It was Bud's wishes for no funeral, viewing, or service but chose to donate his body for the Advancement of Medical Education and Research in the hopes of helping others. His remains were donated to the Human Donation Program in the Department of Neuroscience at Dalhousie University.
Special thanks to the ambulatory care, surgical and emerg nurses that have cared for him over the past several years, Dr. Nader, Dr. Kadir, Dr. Vanboxell, and Dr. MacDonald at the CRHCC.
Bud was best known as Robin Hood with a Peter Pan complex. Forever loved and forever missed.