John Henry O’Brien

January 28, 1931 – June 16, 2016

John was born in Seattle to Jack and Bernice O’Brien on Jan. 28, 1931. He passed away June 16, 2016.

Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 28 at Saint Hubert Catholic Church in Langley.

John is survived by his wife Miriam (Miki) O’Brien; seven children, Julie O’Brien (Dwight Zehm), Doug O’Brien (Sue), Molly O’Brien Johnson (Kevin Johnson), Brian O’Brien (Tam), Jay O’Brien (Cara), Andy O’Brien (Cinnamon) and Brendan O’Brien (Tina Bueing); 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Gene O’Brien and Bebe Baker; and many nieces and nephews.

Waiting for him in heaven were his son Aaron; sisters, Jewell and Maryann; and grandson Ramon.

John married Miriam (Miki) Frances Flaherty on Dec. 29, 1954, in Boise, Idaho. John and Miki settled into married life in Seattle, and then spent a few years in Oregon. They lived the next 27 years in Southern California raising their eight children. In 1989, they moved to Whidbey Island, and after a few years John retired. He walked almost daily on Sunlight Beach, spent many mornings at the Clover Patch, volunteered for Senior Services and was a greeter at St. Hubert.

John was a true Northwest son. He graduated Seattle Prep, attended Seattle University, was a batboy for the Seattle Rainiers, worked on the Highway 2 railroad tunnel, lived on a houseboat on Lake Union, was an early airlines steward and then worked as an expeditor for Boeing.

John was a finance manager for several corporations, including Westinghouse, Coca Cola, Flying Tigers, Munson Sporting Goods, Meyerson Wine Warehouse and Tunturi Sporting Goods.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Providence Hospital of Everett.

Memorials may be made in John’s name to Senior Services of Island County.