Obituary of James O'Brien

Olney, TX- James (Jim) O’Brien died Tuesday morning July 31, 2012 at Hamilton Hospital in Olney, TX. Jim was born in Troy NY, on January 22, 1918 to Martin and Catherine (O’Hara) O’Brien; siblings, Edward, Florence (Bessette), Catherine, Martin and Nancy (Carey) all predeceased him. Jim graduated from Catholic Central high school, working at the Watervliet Arsenal from 1939-1942 until he enlisted in the US Navy. Jim served as an Aviation Ordinanceman First Class on the USS Shangri La, earning 2 Battle Stars (including the entire Okinawa campaign) as well as being awarded the American Theater medal, the Victory ribbon and the Good Conduct medal; he was honorably discharged in 1946. The GI bill allowed Jim to obtain his BS in accounting from Siena College and a Masters degree from SUNY Albany; he was employed by the NYS Appellate Division Court until he retired in 1982. In 1952 Jim married Anne (Nancy) Conahan and moved to Albany where they raised their family; they remained in Albany until 1997 when they relocated to Diamond Ridge in Troy. After Nancy’s passing in 1999, Jim remained a resident at Diamond Ridge until his health decline in 2011 forced him to transition to Heartwood Terrace in Troy. In September 2011 Jim relocated to Olney Texas to reside with his eldest sons’ family; however, in early 2012 his continuing health decline required he transition into the local nursing home where he resided until his passing. Survivors include five children: Michael (Isabelle) O’Brien of Olney, TX; Terry O’Brien of Louisville, CO; Patricia (Robert) Gott of Williamsburg, VA; Ellen (Tom) Meyers, Albany and Kevin (Teri) O’Brien of Miramar, FL; he had six grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Friday, August 3 at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Olney with the Msgr. Raymund Mullan officiating. Arrangements provided by the Flynn Brothers Funeral Home (Schuylerville) for burial at 1pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.