Edward Joseph O'Brien Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Edward Joseph O’ Brien,was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. He passed away on January 18, 2022, after a year-long battle with cancer. He was 75 years old. He was born on July 26, 1946 to the late George and Helen O'Brien. He was a graduate from Pilgrim High School in Warwick, RI. Being a very ambitious and hard worker, he started working at Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing after graduating from high school. He worked there for 20 years until he retired to pursue his ambition of entrepreneurship ventures. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joan O’Brien (Nicynski), and their children, Edward O'Brien, Jr. and wife Virginia Lee, Diane Simonelli and husband Brad, Donna Merzigian and husband Jake, and Deborah O'Brien and fiancé Scott Franco. Growing up, he had a large close-knit family including his siblings George O'Brien, Jr. (deceased), Joe O'Brien and wife Pat, Kathy Priess and husband John (deceased), Helen Sears (deceased) and husband Ronnie (deceased), John O'Brien and wife Debbie, and Richard O'Brien (deceased) and wife Debbie (deceased). In his spare time, he enjoyed playing cards with his family and friends, cutting wood and quahogging. He also loved watching his nine grandchildren growing up, playing sports, swimming in the pool, and telling them the most creative original stories. He loved to tell jokes and keep everyone around him laughing. He leaves behind a loving large extended family and many friends who cared about him very much who he also cared about deeply. Per Ed's request the family had a private intimate memorial celebrating his life.