Obituary of William J. O'Brien

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of William J O’Brien, age 84. William, more affectionately known to all as Bill, was married to the love of his life Rosemary C. (Carrara) O’Brien for 65 years. Bill and Rosemary were both born in New Brighton, Staten Island. Bill attended St Peter’s High School and graduated from Curtis.

Bill and Rosemary started their family in Staten Island before moving to Freehold Township. He was a dedicated father, grandfather and great grandfather. Together they have 5 children Dawn Connolly engaged to Frank Brockerhoff, Colleen Coyle and her significant other, Michael Fenick, Bill O’Brien, John O’Brien married to Laurel Porter O’Brien, and Melissa Kane married to Kyle Kane. Bill has 15 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren with 1 more on the way. He is survived by his sister Eileen Murphy and brother-in-law Joseph Murphy.

Family was everything to Bill. He was extremely involved in his children and grandchildren’s lives. He enjoyed celebrating all their milestones, graduations, sporting events and most recently marriages. Bill believed in hard work and dedication in all aspects of his life. He had a long proud career as a logistical manager for the Procter & Gamble Company for 42 years. Sports were also an integral part of Bill’s life. He was a talented athlete that played competitive basketball, softball and golf for most of his life. His softball team, known as the Woodpeckers, became his very closest friends. Bill was a longtime resident of Freehold, spending 55 years of his life here. He volunteered as part of the Freehold Township Recreation Commission for 17 of those years. Bill was loved and respected by all that knew him. He always said he was the luckiest man in the world, but truly anyone lucky enough to call him dad, Pop, or friend were the lucky ones.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:30 AM Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold. Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township. For those who desire, donations in Bill’s name can be made to Dove Hospice Services, 198 US-9, Manalapan , NJ 07726. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.