Charles W. O'Brien
Charles Warren O’Brien, 76, of Holbrook, MA, passed away November 21, 2020 after a short illness. Charlie was born in Quincy in 1944 to George O’Brien and Margaret O’Neil. He graduated with a degree in accounting from Northeastern University in 1973. He retired from Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital after 26 years. Charlie was the Holbrook Youth Soccer Treasurer and coached in the league for ten years. He also coached Holbrook Little League’s Fisher Enterprises then Rogers Club with his great friend John Rogers for 30-plus years. Charlie was a Member in Charge while volunteering at St. Joseph’s Bingo every Friday for decades and loved driving to Disney World delivering camping equipment for St. Joe’s CYO while the rest of the group flew.
Charlie is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Ellen Bessette O’Brien; sons Michael Charles of Naples, Italy and his children Charles and Ellen, and Matthew Bessette and his wife Jenn of Brockton MA, and their children Patrick, Connor, and Benjamin; cousins Joan Stanghellini of Riverside, CA, Barbara Slack of Richmond, VA, and Sheila Richardson of North Andover, MA; brother-in-law Gerald Bessette and his wife Jeanie of Wellfleet, MA and family; and his extended family Dennis Driscoll and his late wife Paula, formerly of Braintree and family; and John Driscoll of New York City; and lifelong friend, Bill Leahy of Tempe AZ.
Visiting hours will be held at Hurley-Currie Funeral Home, 127 So. Franklin St. (Rt. 37), Holbrook on Tuesday, November 24th, from 4-7pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Covid-19 restrictions will be in place. A funeral mass at St. Joseph’s Church will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charlie’s name to St. Joseph’s Church, 153 S. Franklin St. Holbrook, MA 02343.
Guestbook
First Name: Bob Widdop & Maureen Anton
Last Name:
City: Palmetto
State: FL
Country: United States
Entry Date: 11/22/2020
Deepest sympathy from our families to yours.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields and
Until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
First Name: Rory
Last Name: Slye
City: Bridgewater
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 11/23/2020
Dear Ellen , Matt and family ,
My deepest sympathy in the passing of your beloved husband and dad. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers
With sympathy,
Rory Slye
First Name: Thomas
Last Name: McGowan
City: Boone
State: NC
Country: USA
Entry Date: 11/23/2020
The great-grandson of Andrew and Margaret Bresnahan McGowan of Lawrence, MA, Charlie O’Brien had a lovely loyalty to his McGowan relatives, helped keep them connected, promoted McGowan reunions, and helped out-of-state relatives visiting Massachusetts. He supported local youth sports generously, and I loved pictures of him and his sons at Red Sox and of him and his grandchildren in many happy settings. Kay and I send condolences and value our memories of a grand family man and cousin.
First Name: Marty
Last Name: Crowell
City: Brockton
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 11/23/2020
Dear Ellen & Matt,
I send my deepest sympathies for the loss of your dear husband, Charlie and your Dad.
Please know you are both in my ♥️ heart.
Marty
First Name: John and Patricia
Last Name: Jones
City: milton
State: MA
Country:
Entry Date: 11/23/2020
It was my pleasure to have known Charlie for close to if not over 40 years. We first met as volunteers at St. Joseph Church and School, in particular the Friday Night Bingo.
Every Friday after the crowd had gone we sat down to talk and relax. We shared many a story with each other over the years.
I mention a few:
His younger years when his dad worked for the railroad and he had a pass to travel for free-and he did
The concerts he attended with Mike as well as their cross country trip and the Appalachian Trail
His cribbage games-anywhere and anytime
His annual BC game with John Rogers as well as his work with the baseball team
The plays and events with his grandchildren
His study of the JFK shooting and his love of history
His research to locate family members
He had a great memory for detail and could recite the US Presidents from first to last. He, Larry Blake and I visited the places where Mike was doing trivia and usually came in first place because of Charlie and his ability to remember odd facts.
To Ellen, Matt, Mike and family please accept our sympathy in Charlie's passing. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
First Name: Toni
Last Name: McCarthy
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 11/24/2020
Ellen and family,
So sorry for your loss. Charlie was a giant of a man. Very quiet and soft spoken.
My deepest sympathy to all.
Toni McCarthy
First Name: Joe
Last Name: Fistori
City:
State: AL
Country:
Entry Date: 11/24/2020
What a great guy Charlie was. He was a good friend of my late brother Bill Fistori and I have very special memories of our Maine camping/fishing trips together. RIP Charles
First Name: Alice Judy
Last Name: OBrien
City: Braintree
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 11/25/2020
prayers and thoughts to you Ellen his sons and his Mom Sorry I wasn't able to go to the wake or Mass but Keith went to the wake
First Name: john
Last Name: mc fadden
City: holbrook
State: MA
Country: United States
Entry Date: 11/25/2020
My condolences to the O'Brien family. Charlie was a wonderful man, easy to talk to and a big help to the people who came in contact with
him. Gone too soon.
First Name: Jeannie
Last Name: Tarara
City: Holbrook
State: MA
Country: Norfolk
Entry Date: 12/02/2020
Ellen, Mike and Matt,
So very sorry for your loss. Charlie was a great man. When he coached Baseball and umpired the kids loved him and John. I could not have done without him at Bingo. He was always there ready to help with any chore that needed to be done. What a great guy! He will be missed by many. I will keep you all in my prayers! God Bless! Jeannie
First Name: Joe
Last Name: Tarara
City: Rockland
State: MA
Country: USA
Entry Date: 12/16/2020
Remember Mr. O’BRIEN as the Umpire at our baseball games as kids and coach if I remember correctly one year too and how kind he was to all of us on the field. My sincere condolences for your of a wonderful man. Wishing you all peace in this time.