John J. O'Brien

PAWTUCKET - John “Jack” Joseph O’Brien, 94, passed away on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, peacefully surrounded by his loving family, most notably, Carol A. (Page) O’Brien, his beloved wife of over 73 years.

Born in Pawtucket, RI, he was the only child and son of the late John F. and Bertha R. (Hodkinson) O’Brien. Jack and Carol, a couple who demonstrated a masterclass in true love, met at Bobby’s Rollaway, shortly before Jack deployed with the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt as a 3rd Class Machinist for the US Navy during the Korean War.

Jack worked as a Weaver and President for Amalgamated Textile Union for Arbeka Webbing Co. for over forty-two years; followed by Technor Apex prior to retirement. Jack and Carol went on a cross-country trip in their motorhome to Alaska for over six months, before Jack returned to work part-time for County Motors and then Napa Auto Parts.

Jack was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a faithful parishioner of St. Teresa’s. A lifelong lover of camping and sitting fireside, Jack and Carol were seasonal staples at Bourne Scenic Park in Cape Cod, where many neighbors became close friends. Jack enjoyed spending time roller-skating, dancing, and playing cards. In his younger years, he always enjoyed driving, sightseeing, “watching, not playing” sports, doing house projects, gardening and yard work, watching television, telling jokes and chuckling, and drinking Narragansett Beer- which he attributed to his longevity. Jack was known for tinkering, where duct tape was usually always the solution. In his later years, he was an avid bird and squirrel surveyor and was known for clicking his teeth.

To know Jack was to love Jack; he will be fondly remembered for being a loyal, hardworking family man, who lived a life worthy of the absolute greatest stories- a true legacy. Jack will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his three children, daughter, Karen Douglas and her husband, Richard, of Seekonk, MA; son, David O’Brien and his wife, Cynthia, of North Kingstown, RI; and son, John M. O’Brien and his wife, Paulette, of Attleboro, MA; six grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

His FUNERAL will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:00AM from the WILLIAM W. TRIPP Funeral Home, 1008 Newport Ave. Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00AM at Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church, 358 Newport Avenue Pawtucket. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Pawtucket.

VISITATION will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 5:00PM – 7:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church, 358 Newport Avenue Pawtucket, RI 02861-4130.

www.TrippFuneralHome.com