William (Bill) J. O’Brien of Warwick passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. He was 91 years old.
Bill was born in Jersey City on Sept. 26, 1928, to William and Mary (Carey) O’Brien.
Bill graduated Saint Michael’s High School and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University. Bill served in the U.S. Army in 1946-47 and was stationed in the Philippines.
He attended the Jersey City Police Academy and served as a patrolman for two years. He also worked for General Motors and Ford Motor Company, ultimately closing out his business career with Firedex.
Bill was pre-deceased by his loving wife Patricia O’Shaughnessy O’Brien to whom he was married for 52 years, his brother James O’Brien, sister Dorothy O’Brien Carroll and his son-in-law Arthur Scheffler.
Bill raised his family in Emerson, N.J., and lived there for 45 years. He is survived by his three children: Bill and wife Daria, Patti and husband Julien and Kathy and husband Ray; grandchildren: Eric and fiancé Ashley, Greg and fiancé Melissa, Kevin, Janine, Bill and wife Jessica, Kenny and wife Brittany, Kyle, Evan and Vanessa; great-grandaughter Mackenzie; and siblings Jean, Marilyn, Dan and wife Elaine, Rosemary and many nieces and nephews.
Bill loved spending time with family and friends. He had strong faith and was devoutly religious, with prayer being an important part of his daily life. He cared deeply for others, especially those who were suffering or less fortunate. He would spend his time helping others in any way he could. He was known for the sending statues of Our Lady of Fatima with uplifting notes and prayers to anyone he heard of who was going through a tough time.
Bill was a history buff, enjoyed model trains and tinkered with cars his whole life. He was an avid reader and researcher who loved using his computer. He could repair most things and was a life-long learner who taught himself many skills, including electrical and carpentry to build an addition on the family house.
Bill continued to live an active and full life even into his 90’s, traveling to visit family near and far. He was a parishioner and loved to volunteer at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Warwick. He had many friends who will miss him at the Warwick Senior Club.
Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather/great grandfather, uncle and brother. He was an example of someone who focused on the positive and valued hard work and perseverance to meet challenges. His kindness, energy and steadfastness will continue to be an inspiration to all who came to know him.
Bill’s motto was the same as Padre Pio’s, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”
A memorial was held Aug. 1 at the Pleasant Manor Funeral Home in Thornwood. Burial was also held on the same day at The Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Bill’s honor to be made to one of his favorite charities: Multiple Sclerosis Society or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.