Obituary of Timothy J. O'Brien

Timothy J. O’Brien, 88, a lifelong resident of Schuylerville, passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland. Born Nov. 25, 1925 in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of Timothy and Ella Cormie O’Brien. Tim was one of the brave men who risked his life for his country during WW II. After being accepted at the University of Notre Dame, he opted to hold off on college and support the war effort. Tim enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 at the age of seventeen. He served aboard the destroyer escort the USS Pillsbury (133) with the rank of Seaman 1st Class. The USS Pillsbury was an escort to the carrier, USS Guadalcanal. Tim’s mission was hunting German submarines in the North Atlantic. Tim and his crew, aboard the USS Pillsbury, were part of the task force responsible for capturing the German submarine U-505 on June 4, 1944, 150 miles west of Cape Blanco in West Africa. This was the first time since 1815 that the US boarded and captured a foreign enemy man-of-war in battle on the high seas. It was one of the best kept secrets of the war and allowed the United States to examine the submarine’s technical and operational information. On April 7, 1946, Tim was issued his honorary discharge from Lido Beach, Long Island. For his courage and valor in representing the United States, Tim was awarded: the American Theatre Medal 1 star, the European Theatre Medal 1 star, the Victory Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star. Tim was recently inducted into the VFW 420 “Gallery of Valor” in 2012. He was employed for Niagara Mohawk for over 35 years retiring as a line supervisor in 1986. Tim loved playing golf and had been a member of the Battenkill Country Club and McGregor Links Golf Course. He was an avid New York Giants and Boston Celtics fan. In addition to his parents, Tim was predeceased by his wife, the love of his life, Elvira Gleeson O’Brien, who died in 2007 and a brother, Robert O’Brien. Survivors include his children: Timothy Jay (Melanie) O’Brien , Stephen (Lesley) O’Brien, Patricia O’Brien Grossman, and Terrence O’Brien, all of Schuylerville, and Sean (Lisa) O’Brien of Guilderland; grandchildren, Timothy M. (Janine) O’Brien, Katrina O’Brien, Kyle Grossman, Kirsten O’Brien, Travis Grossman, Nicholas Gosselin, Christian O’Brien, Meghan O’Brien, and Kelsey O’Brien; great grandchild Ellie O’Brien; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. There will be no calling hours. A service will be held at 12 Noon on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville. The family suggests memorials in Tim’s name be made to the General Schuyler Emergency Squad, PO Box 111, Schuylerville, NY 12871 or to Our Lady of Mercy Life Center Scholarship Fund, 2 Mercy Care Lane, Guilderland, NY 12084.