William Daniel O’Brien died on April 2 in Jupiter, Florida. He was 85.
Born in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, Mr. O’Brien was a seasonal resident of Jupiter, Florida, Westhampton Beach, and Houston, Texas. He graduated from Xavier High School in New York in 1948, where he played both varsity basketball and baseball. He graduated from Villanova University with honors and played varsity baseball for the school. He then earned a scholarship to Columbia Law School in New York City, graduating in 1955, and going on to earn a master’s degree in law from New York University.
After a short time in public accounting at Arthur Young & Company, and then with Beekman & Bogue law firm, he joined Exxon Corporation’s tax department. His career took him and his family from New Jersey to Tripoli, Libya, for three years, then back to New Jersey, on to Houston, back to New Jersey, and finally to Dallas, where he finished his career as vice president and general tax counsel of Exxon Corporation. He was a beloved leader, survivors said.
Survivors recalled that Mr. O’Brien said, “My proudest moments are our family reunions in Westhampton Beach, watching our five children mature into outstanding human beings and above all, the day Sheila and I were married.”
He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Mary O’Brien; an aunt, Margaret Scott; and a brother, Robert O’Brien.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sheila Flaherty O’Brien; a sister, Mary Jean O’Brien; children, Cathy Douglas and husband Larry, Bill O’Brien and wife Karyn, Scott O’Brien and wife Linda, Elizabeth O’Brien and husband Jacob Brown, and Carolyn Foley and husband Jamie; grandchildren, Kristen Douglas, Megan Douglas, Michael O’Brien, Josh O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Peter O’Brien, Jonathon O’Brien, Caitlyn Foley, Charlie Foley and Teddy Foley.
The family will have a private interment service on Friday, June 24, at Westhampton Cemetery; the Reverend Michael Bartholomew will officiate.
A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. at The Church of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Quiogue; Rev. Michael Bartholomew will officiate. A reception will follow at Westhampton Country Club.
Memorial donations may be made to Xavier High School, 30 W. 16th Street, New York, NY 10011, xavierhs.org.
on Jun 16, 2016