- Date Of Birth: June 6, 1929
- Date Of Death: October 21, 2015
- State: Connecticut
James Norbert O’Brien passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2015 at the age of 86. Born in Flushing NY to Katherine and James O’Brien, Jim attended Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn and graduated from the City College of New York. His lifelong career in the lumber industry began with Furman Lumber headquartered in Boston MA. In 1977, Jim and his wife Joan founded Nutmeg Forest Products, which thrives today including the third generation of O’Briens.
A devout Catholic, Jim had a genuine passion for helping others. In addition to coaching golf and swimming for Special Olympics and volunteering with Operation Hope for several years, Jim served on the board of St. Catherine Academy, now known as Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs of the Diocese of Bridgeport, a school dedicated to those with special needs. Jim was active for many years in Faith Express, a program to train young individuals with special needs for the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. In 1987 he established the Jamie & Laura O’Brien Scholarship at Fairfield University which offers assistance to the siblings of those with special needs. Golf was another passion for Jim and he spent many hours on the golf course at Brooklawn Country Club where he forged some great friendships.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years Joan, his three children and their families: Bill and Sue, Dan and Janice, Cathy and Tom Porter along with 9 grandchildren: Jim, Patrick, Dan, Courtney, Bob, David, Taylor and Darren O’Brien and Thomas Porter. Jim is pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Bill and Richard, sister Katherine and his granddaughter Katie O’Brien.
