Guilderland- Walter J. O’Brien, 82, formerly of Troy and Hudson, died peacefully Friday, November 26, 2021, at the residence of his granddaughter following a short illness
Born in Pittstown, December 15, 1938, Mr. O’Brien was the son of the late Francis V. and Mary (Ryan) O’Brien and, for over 60 years, the husband of the late Patricia (Flood) O’Brien, who predeceased him in 2020.
Mr. O’Brien was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Lansingburgh, attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY-Oswego.
For over 30 years, Mr. O’Brien was employed as a teacher and instructor by the former Rensselaer County BOCES and, more recently, Questar III in Hudson. He retired in 1996.
More than anything else, Walter was a true family patriarch, who loved spending time with his family and friends. He always listened to their joys and cares and, when asked, occasionally offered quiet, well-thought-out advice. He loved traveling with his late wife to Rockport, MA, and Ogunquit, ME, where oceanfront accommodations were an absolute must. He was a very faithful man and a communicant of the Catholic Church.
Mr. O’Brien is survived by his children, Deborah Leffler of Guilderland and Lt. Col. Daniel and Mary O’Brien of Pittsburgh, PA, a sister, Barbara O’Brien of Orange, CA, six grandchildren, Kendra Pember of Guilderland, Katie and Christopher LaJoie of Rotterdam, Jack and Alexa O’Brien of Voorhees, NJ, Sally and Adam Nusairat and Megan O’Brien, all of Pittsburgh, and Howard Leffler of Brunswick, six greatgrandchildren, Madison and Maxwell Pember, Kingston and Beau LaJoie, and Owen and Benjamin Nusairat, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Mardy McLovin.
A funeral service for Mr. O’Brien will be held at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Frank O’Connor officiating. Entomb- ment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Mohawk and Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12203, in memory of Walter J. O’Brien.
Born in Pittstown, December 15, 1938, Mr. O’Brien was the son of the late Francis V. and Mary (Ryan) O’Brien and, for over 60 years, the husband of the late Patricia (Flood) O’Brien, who predeceased him in 2020.
Mr. O’Brien was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Lansingburgh, attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Education from SUNY-Oswego.
For over 30 years, Mr. O’Brien was employed as a teacher and instructor by the former Rensselaer County BOCES and, more recently, Questar III in Hudson. He retired in 1996.
More than anything else, Walter was a true family patriarch, who loved spending time with his family and friends. He always listened to their joys and cares and, when asked, occasionally offered quiet, well-thought-out advice. He loved traveling with his late wife to Rockport, MA, and Ogunquit, ME, where oceanfront accommodations were an absolute must. He was a very faithful man and a communicant of the Catholic Church.
Mr. O’Brien is survived by his children, Deborah Leffler of Guilderland and Lt. Col. Daniel and Mary O’Brien of Pittsburgh, PA, a sister, Barbara O’Brien of Orange, CA, six grandchildren, Kendra Pember of Guilderland, Katie and Christopher LaJoie of Rotterdam, Jack and Alexa O’Brien of Voorhees, NJ, Sally and Adam Nusairat and Megan O’Brien, all of Pittsburgh, and Howard Leffler of Brunswick, six greatgrandchildren, Madison and Maxwell Pember, Kingston and Beau LaJoie, and Owen and Benjamin Nusairat, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Mardy McLovin.
A funeral service for Mr. O’Brien will be held at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 New York Route 7, located in Raymertown, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. with Fr. Frank O’Connor officiating. Entomb- ment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the Mohawk and Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12203, in memory of Walter J. O’Brien.
