Richard O’Brien, 83, passed away from pneumonia on March 13 at Miles Memorial Hospital.
Dick and his wife of 53 years Mabel Depue O’Brien moved to Alna 10 years ago. Dick was born Oct. 30, 1926 in Flint, Mich., and was raised in Minnesota. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of WWII, having served as cryptographer and Message Center chief in Germany. After completion of his tour of duty, he was honorable discharged as 1st Lieutenant. He graduated from George Washington University and Rutgers Law School, and practiced law in New Jersey for 30 years.
Dick was very active in local government, and he distinguished himself by winning a landmark decision concerning zoning and land use issues before the New Jersey Supreme Court. He retired as senior partner in his law firm in 1985, and he and his wife moved to Fripp Island, S.C. where they lived for 14 years. They moved to Maine in 1999.
He was a member of the Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, where he served as Treasurer for three years. He loved tennis, bicycling, and backpacking in the National Parks. His favorite overseas vacation was a three week trip to Ireland where they saw a large part of the country, the land of his forebearers.
He is survived by his wife Mabel; daughter, Megan O’Brien of Northampton, Mass.; sons, Conall of Bangor, and Evan and wife Devan of Cardinal, Va.; grandchildren, Mariah, Margaux, Ian, Kane and Taitum; brother, Merritt of Sebring, Fla.; and sister, Virginia Rheinhardt of Louisiana.
Memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Dick may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb, ME 04556.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
