IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Joseph L.
O'Brien
May 17, 1928 – September 18, 2009
Obituary
Passed away peacefully on September 18, 2009 at home in Haddonfield, NJ. Age 81 years.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Anne Marie McGroarty O'Brien. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Margaret McCoy O'Brien, who was his devoted caretaker in his final illness, by his children, Dr. Mary Claire O'Brien (Dr. Francis X. O'Brien) of Winston-Salem, NC; Aislinn O'Brien (Dr. Dave Dubin) of Champaign, IL; Connell O'Brien (Candance) of Evergreen, CO; Frances Leon (Darrell) of Oak Lawn, IL and Christina O'Brien (Jeff Jelen) of Chicago, IL; and by his sister, Kathleen Meyers (John) of Oceanside, CA. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren: Claire, Anne and Rose O'Brien; Hanna, Connell, Owen and Bennett O'Brien; and Daniel and Thomas Leon. The family expresses their deepest gratitude to Dr. O'Brien's caretaker and friend, Mr. Emmanuel Marfo.
Dr. O'Brien was born May 17, 1928, in Los Angeles, CA to Edward Everett and Margaret McFadden O'Brien. As a child, he was a member of The Little Rascals, appearing in numerous films. He also was the stunt double for Shirley Temple. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1948 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1952. From 1952 to 1978 he was employed by Rohm and Haas of Philadelphia in the research division. His work resulted in over 30 patents and publications in the areas of exploratory organic synthesis, functional monomers, plasticizers for PVC, and flame-retardant plastics, including Plexiglas. In 1978, he joined the C.P. Hall Company in Chicago, from which he retired as Director of Research & Development in 1992. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for more than 60 years. He moved to Haddonfield, NJ in 1996 and became a proud member of St. Rose of Lima Church Choir. His interests included classic movies, music and crossword puzzles.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Wednesday Evening 7 to 9 PM and Thursday 9 to 10 AM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial Thursday 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, 4th Ave. & Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ. Inurnment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ.
The family requests donations be made to Lighthouse Hospice, 1040 N. Kings Highway, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Anne Marie McGroarty O'Brien. He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Margaret McCoy O'Brien, who was his devoted caretaker in his final illness, by his children, Dr. Mary Claire O'Brien (Dr. Francis X. O'Brien) of Winston-Salem, NC; Aislinn O'Brien (Dr. Dave Dubin) of Champaign, IL; Connell O'Brien (Candance) of Evergreen, CO; Frances Leon (Darrell) of Oak Lawn, IL and Christina O'Brien (Jeff Jelen) of Chicago, IL; and by his sister, Kathleen Meyers (John) of Oceanside, CA. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren: Claire, Anne and Rose O'Brien; Hanna, Connell, Owen and Bennett O'Brien; and Daniel and Thomas Leon. The family expresses their deepest gratitude to Dr. O'Brien's caretaker and friend, Mr. Emmanuel Marfo.
Dr. O'Brien was born May 17, 1928, in Los Angeles, CA to Edward Everett and Margaret McFadden O'Brien. As a child, he was a member of The Little Rascals, appearing in numerous films. He also was the stunt double for Shirley Temple. He received a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1948 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology in 1952. From 1952 to 1978 he was employed by Rohm and Haas of Philadelphia in the research division. His work resulted in over 30 patents and publications in the areas of exploratory organic synthesis, functional monomers, plasticizers for PVC, and flame-retardant plastics, including Plexiglas. In 1978, he joined the C.P. Hall Company in Chicago, from which he retired as Director of Research & Development in 1992. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for more than 60 years. He moved to Haddonfield, NJ in 1996 and became a proud member of St. Rose of Lima Church Choir. His interests included classic movies, music and crossword puzzles.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Wednesday Evening 7 to 9 PM and Thursday 9 to 10 AM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial Thursday 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Rose of Lima, 4th Ave. & Kings Highway, Haddon Heights, NJ. Inurnment Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill, NJ.
The family requests donations be made to Lighthouse Hospice, 1040 N. Kings Highway, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
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