Charles B. O'Brien
April 13, 1941 ~ October 11, 2016
DANVERS- Charles Bernard O’Brien, Jr., 75 passed away peacefully on October 11, 2016 at Salem Hospital. His wife of 51 years, Joanne (Pydynkowski) O’Brien, and their three children were by his side.
Charlie was born to the late Charles and Catherine (DeCoff) O’Brien and resided in Danvers for most of his life. He graduated from Holten High School in 1959 then attended Wentworth Institute of Technology to study engineering. Charlie was a proud veteran and was honorably discharged after serving in the United States Army stationed overseas in Korea. Charlie spent most of his career in the shipping and trucking industry, as a driver for UPS and then as an engineer for FEDEX during the start-up years of the company. He remained employed with FEDEX in various management roles for 25 years. After retiring, and through his love of golf, he became a certified golf club maker and started a business making and repairing golf clubs for several local country clubs.
Charlie loved skiing, boating and traveling with his wife, family and many close friends. He was a long-time member of the Penguins Ski Club in Bartlett, NH, and served as Treasurer for many years. He was also a member of Captain’s Country Club in Brewster, MA and the Polish Club in Danvers.
In addition to his wife, Joanne, he is survived by his children, Kelley O’Brien of Salem, Stephen O’Brien and his wife, Domini of Brewster and Shannon O’Brien of Danvers, two siblings, Paul O’Brien of Webster and Rosemary Sweeney of TN, five grandchildren, Ashley Hooley and her husband Keith, Steffen Zellars, Elizabeth, Christian and Meagan O’Brien and three great grandchildren, Seamus and Murphy O’Brien and Liam Hooley as well as several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael O’Brien.
He will be dearly missed, and we will always cherish the time we he had with this incredible man.
Funeral service will start at 8:15AM, Saturday, October 15, 2016 at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers, followed by his Funeral Mass at 9AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Visiting hours are Friday from 4-7PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Charles’ name to Northeast Arc, 6 Southside Rd, Danvers, MA, 01923.
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We first met Charlie & Joanne in 1972 when we both bought houses on Chester Rd. in BIllerica. We spent many great and memorable times with them. Charlie was one of the nicest men that we ever had the pleasure to know and our hearts are broken to lose such a wonderful friend.We will be forever grateful for his friendship and all the great memories. We send our prayers and love to our friend Joanne and the family.
Love Elaine & Scotty
Jeremy and I were so sorry to hear of his passing. Charlie was a wonderful man who we had the pleasure of knowing through Ashley and the times we were invited to go to the Penguin Ski Club. Hopefully Charlie is doing all the skiing and golfing he wants wherever the wind takes him. Love to all his family and friends during this time. He will be truly missed. Love, Jeremy & Krystle
I am so sorry for your Great Loss. Charlie was a super nice person. Since I do live in Canada I had only a few occasions to talk with him and to visit with him, and each time I was very impressed with my oldest cousin from the States. He was a pleasure to be with. He was kind and helpful and funny. He was very interested in whatever us older cousins knew about the family. He loved to hear the stories, and he had lots of stories to tell us. I was always sorry that we were raised so far apart. I know that I can speak for all the cousins here when I say that it would have been so nice for all of us to have known each other while we were growing up. I will always be very grateful to cousin Charlie and Joanne for having my son James and his family over for a wonderful afternoon when they went to Boston on their vacation. They are still talking about their visit. It was the highlight of their trip they said. Charlie told me he was a perfect Tour Guide, and I know he was. God Bless You and Keep You Charlie. Wish we could have gotten together one more time but I am sure the Best is yet to come. May God give you all the courage and the strength to get through this very sad loss. Sending my Love and Prayers. Cousin Mary xo
IM VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF CHARLES PASSING AND REGRET THAT CIRCUMSTANCES PRECLUDE MY ATTENDING THE FUNERAL. MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO JOHANNE AND FAMILY ALSO ROSEMARY AND PAUL AND FAMILIES. FELT I HAD A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHARLIE THROUGH EMAILS AND TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS AS HE EXPLORED AND DOCUMENTED THE OBRIEN FAMILY TREE. WE MET ON A FEW OCCASIONS OVER THE YEARS THE MOST MEMORABLE BEING ON A DAY TOUR OF CAPE COD WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO TALK MY DAUGHTER DENISE INTO EATING HER FIRST LOBSTER. SHE STILL TALKS OF IT TO THIS DAY.
REST IN PEACE CHARLIE…..COUSIN JACK
We are so very sad to hear of Charlie’s passing. We were blessed to have known Charlie, Joanne and their wonderful family through the Penguin Ski Club. We always enjoyed spending the evening with Charlie after a day of skiing: funny, pleasant, thoughtful, great stories and always a gentleman. What we remember most is every time we saw Charlie; he always had something nice to say. What’s difficult is no matter what we write we do not have the right words to express how special he was to us. I also had the pleasure of spending time with his brother Michael and how special it was when I realized we already had a connection. Funny how our paths cross in different ways. We lost a very special member of the Penguin Ski Club, but are grateful for the times we had together. It is not hard to imagine he was welcomed to heavenly arms; my good and faithful servant. May you experience God’s Love and presence during this difficult time.
With Special Love, Mary and Chip, Bill, Joanna and Danny.
I was so saddened when I learned of Charlie’s passing. We knew each other from being in school together. I must say Charlie was a first class guy all the way. He never said a mean word about anyone and was always there to pitch in and help out. We worked together on several reunion projects over the years and he was always there with the rest of the “gang”. You will be missed Charlie O. RIP and God Bless.
Steve! The right words are so hard to find! Take great comfort in knowing that love lives forever! Enjoy music! The one language we understand! I’m just happy to know You! Peace! Chris
Lit a candle in memory of Charles B. O’Brien
Joanne and Family, We are so very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful man! We became part of the “Fedex” Family in the ’70s and it will always remain that way. It was a special time for all of us and we are happy that we were part of it. Our love and prayers are with all of you. Sincerely, Dayle and George Fenton
So sorry for your loss. I met Charlie 30 years ago when I started at FedEx great man. He will be missed. Brian Kidder
Joanne and family, we were saddened to hear about our dear Freind Chaz just now.
I have had many rounds of fun golf and our years together at Fedex for a lot more years
He will truly be missed by us both
Chuck and Diane Andreotes 😪
Joanne…. sorry to see this today. Don’t know why your name popped into my head just now. At our age, I wonder who is still with us. Hope you and the whole family are well.