John O’Brien

Lancaster-John F. O’Brien, 81, passed peacefully on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, after being stricken ill. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Nancy (Kelley) O’Brien; their three daughters and their husbands, Kathleen Jones & Eric; Jeanne McCutcheon & Michael, all of Lunenburg; and Diane Murphy & David of Bolton; six grandchildren, Emma and Ryan Jones, Jack and Allie McCutcheon, Jake and Will Murphy; his brother, David O’Brien; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, notably his dear friend of 75 years, Herb Crehan of Natick. He is pre-deceased by siblings Judith Werden and Edmund O’Brien.

Son of the late Frederick & Elizabeth (Russell) O’Brien, John was raised and educated in Hull and was a graduate of Hull High School, Class of 1961. He then enlisted to proudly serve our nation in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged as an Airman Second Class following four years of service. John returned home to complete studies at Wentworth Institute of Technology and begin his lifelong career as a Marketing Engineer, working for General Radio, Quad Tech, and Extech Instruments, until retiring. Among his many hobbies and interests, John was a lifelong Boston sports fan, and enjoyed playing golf, fishing, cruising, and summers at the ocean in Maine. John cherished time in the company of his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. Above all, he was a devoted family man, loving husband, father, grandfather (Bampy to some and Grampy to others), brother, uncle, and friend.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Monday, June 2, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union St., Clinton, with burial to follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of John F. O’Brien to: The Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 (https://www.jimmyfund.org/). Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com