Obituary of Robert Cross O'Brien

Robert Cross O'Brien July 15, 1930 - December 02, 2006 Robert Cross O'Brien died December 2, 2006. He was the beloved husband of Margaret Hurley O'Brien and father to Meghan O'Brien, Christopher Cortis O'Brien, Sean Cross O'Brien, and Caitlin O'Brien. He is survived by his brothers, Stephen B. O'Brien and Joseph M. O'Brien of Centerville, Massachusetts, and sister Margot O'Brien Carey of Sudbury, Massachusetts. He was also the devoted nephew of Mary Cross O'Brien of Centerville, Massachusetts and loving uncle to 23 nieces and nephews. Mr. O'Brien was born on Cape Cod on July 15, 1930. He graduated from Barnstable High School in Barnstable, Massachusetts and went on to graduate cum laude from Boston College in 1952. He graduated from Officers Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island that same year and was stationed in Sasebo, Japan as a Lieutenant in the Navy from 1953 to 1955. He then served on board the U.S.S. Mississippi from 1955 to 1956. Upon leaving the Navy, Mr. O'Brien entered Georgetown Law School and was a member of the Board of Editors of the Law Review. He graduated in 1958 with J.D. and LLM degrees. He worked as an attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington D.C. from 1958 to 1961. He then joined the law firm of Whitman, Ransom and Coulson in New York City in 1961 and became a partner in 1963. He led the expansion of the firm into Connecticut and was pivotal in several major firm mergers. He headed the corporate department, serving many international clients, including Cerveceria Polar and Avis Corporation where he served on the Board of Directors. He practiced in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut for 39 years until he retired in 2000. Mr. O'Brien is remembered for the intellectual curiosity and integrity that fueled his successful career, as well as for the contagious love of life that brought light to those around him. He was a gifted singer, gourmet cook, writer, painter, and gardener, and he was a friend and mentor to many. Above all this, he was a natural father who weaved faith, humor, values and optimism into the fabric of his family. His generous and joyful spirit will remain with us forever. Funeral Information A mass in celebration of his remarkable life will be held at St. John's Church in Darien, Connecticut on Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 pm. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any of the following organizations: AmeriCares HomeFront, Inc., making quality of life repairs for low-income residents (88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902), The Child Guidance Center of Greater Bridgeport, providing for the emotional and psychological welfare of children and their families (180 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604), or to Project Place, providing employment training for people coming out of homelessness (32 Rutland Street, Boston, MA 02118).