Daniel F. O'Brien, a Needham resident for the past 28 years, died peacefully at home on Friday, October 28th. Born in Boston, son of the late John "Whip" and Clare "Red" (McManus) O'Brien, he packed many lifetimes worth of enjoyment and passion into his 63 years.
An athletically and academically gifted student, Danny forged life-long friendships and bonds while attending Newton South High School, graduating in 1966. In March of 1968, he embarked on a journey full of excitement by enlisting in the United States Navy. Anybody and everybody that knew Danny would certainly hear of his naval days, and all the tales of adventure that went along with them. The stories were never-ending and more often than not, excruciatingly comical.
After the Navy, Danny came home to live and work in the Newton-Hyde Park-Brookline area for many years, most notably for Brookline Red Cab. While there, he used his steel-trap memory to navigate the maddening Boston roads, tunnels, addresses and routes… He was also the family "MapQuest" long before there were such things as personal computers or the internet.
After settling in Needham, he became a member of the Wellesley School Department in 1989, working at the Middle School until his retirement in 2003.
As an avid sports and rabid Red Sox fan, he loathed missing a game, an inning, or even a single pitch on TV, but could be found regularly scouring The Herald box-scores the next day to break down anything he had missed the night before. In what was a rare occasion, Danny was speechless after the final out of 2004 World Series. Faith Rewarded, indeed.
He had an encyclopedic knowledge of past and present professional games, dates, players, statistics, etc… but was most comfortable in the stands of a Little League baseball game, on the sidelines at a Pop Warner football game, or as the recently anointed Original Bandit Dad. He got as much enjoyment watching his daughter, and then his granddaughter, as members of the cheerleading squads as he did watching his sons participate in the games. Danny just liked being "at the field." Rooting with biased interest, but not interfering. Keeping his distance, but always keeping score.
Danny was the longtime husband of loving wife Sharon (Driscoll) of Monson and father of revering children Patrick of Monson, Shannon of Wilbraham, and the late Michael T. O'Brien. He was also the proud grandfather of three adoring granddaughters: Cassidy, Brooke, and Payton.
Also missing Danny dearly will be tight-knit and loving siblings John of Newburgh, NY, Karen (Allred) of Acton, Kathleen (Ford) of Bourne, Anne Marie "Nan" (Rafuse) of West Dennis, and L. Michael O'Brien of Yarmouth, MA.
He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws who always held a special place in his heart.
All those that met Danny, those that got to know him, those that liked him, those that loved him, those that were liked by him, and those that were loved by him… All those that he charmed, that he made laugh, that he made stronger and wiser during his time on earth, will be celebrating his life and the fact that we got to share it with him.
Visiting will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Avenue in Needham on Wed. November 2nd from 5-8 PM with a service of remembrance at 8 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment is private.
In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a small donation be made to: Dana-Farber Cancer Research Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02215 in the name of Daniel F. O'Brien.
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Visitation
November 02, 2011
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Eaton Funeral Home
1351 Highland Ave
Needham, MA
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Service of Remembrance
November 02, 2011
8:00 PM
Eaton Funeral Home
1351 Highland Ave
Needham, MA
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