Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

John Aloysius O'Brien, Jr. , "Jack"

On Tuesday July 3, 2012, JOA Jack died peacefully at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD surrounded by his loving wife, Rose and family. He died after surgery from respiratory complications.

He was born on July 20, 1924 in Washington, DC to the late Maud (Molly) Belk and John A. O'Brien, Sr. He was raised in the 'Turkey Thicket' NE section of Washington. Jack was the first born and loving brother of five brothers and two sisters- Francis 'Iwo' (deceased) ( Mary Ellen); Margaret (Peggy) deceased; Paul 'Harpo' (Millie) of south Bethany Beach, DE; Helen Nolan (Michael - deceased) of Annapolis; Joseph (Peggy) of south Bethany Beach, DE; Edward (deceased) (Linda) of Alexandria, VA; and Robert 'Bobby' (deceased) (Dolores) of Annapolis; and sister in law Caroline.

Jack attended McKinley Tech High School in Washington, DC and left school at age 17 to join the Marine Corps and serve his country in World War II. He was on Guadalcanal in the Pacific. After the war, he attended the University of Maryland and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

Jack spent his career as a bartender in many resorts and race tracks, mostly following the sun and the seasons. He retired from the Laurel Racetrack Clubhouse bar and restaurant in 1995. He was a pilot, enjoyed telling stories, being with people and had many, many friends, a true bon vivant. 

For the past 16 years he and his wife, Rose, were snowbirds, spending winters in Boynton Beach, Florida and summers in Annapolis.

He lived a full, happy, and colorful life with a great sense of style. He enjoyed convertible Cadillac's but he had a special fondness for his 1956 amethyst and white Pontiac convertible; and a devotee of horse racing. He derived pleasure from simple things likes ice cold beer and a warm gentle breeze. He was a generous and handsome man with beautiful blue eyes, great hair, and fun loving personality. While in his 80's he made several trips with his wife, stepdaughter and son-in law to Italy and enjoyed the food, wine, and travels. Jack had a strong Catholic faith and enjoyed ushering services at St. Mark's in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Jack is survived by his wife of 12 years, Rose O'Brien, his stepdaughter Leslie Good and son-in-law Wayne Good; his sister Helen, brothers Paul and Joe, many, many loving nieces and nephews, and from his close circle of friends his grammar school buddy and Sigma Nu fraternity brother Tommy Cox and his wife, Nancy Houck Cox.

Relatives and friends are invited to Jack's Life Celebration on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 from 6-8pm at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037. A Memorial Mass will be offered on Thursday, July 122 at 10:30am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.

John O'Brien

John O'Brien

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