Michael Steven "Mickey" O'Brien, 62 of Westfield, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 20, 2019 at home. Mickey was born January 3, 1957 in New York, NY to Francis (Frank) and Estelle (Goldstein) O'Brien. He graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, Briarwood, NY, received his BS in Biological Sciences from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, in 1978, and his MS in Biological Sciences from New York University, New York, NY in 1983. He married Christine Anne Kay on January 15, 1995.
Mickey loved all things Snoopy, enjoyed collecting models of classic cars, bowling, mini-golf, and camping with his son, Tim. He was previously a Board Member for the North Jersey American Chemical Society Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group and past president of the New Jersey Fraternal Insurance Counselors.
Mickey was an active part of the Church of the Holy Trinity, in Westfield, where he was a Lector, a leader of the Saturday morning Men's Bible Study group, former CCD teacher, a member of the Cornerstone Holy Trinity #5 Team, and a member of the Perpertual Adoration Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mountainside.
A member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Watchung Assembly #672, Mickey was a Past Grand Knight of Monsignor Watterson Council 1711 of the Knights of Columbus, Westfield, and an active member of Monsignor John M. Walsh K of C Council 5437, Garwood. He was a foster for and supporter of Brendan's Meadows Rescue, Mountainside. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 3, Westfield. Mickey was an active Scouter, serving as a merit badge counselor for Patriots' Path Council, and as a Committee member for Scouts BSA Troop 73 of Westfield. He was serving as the Troop Advancement Chairman and NOVA/STEM counselor at the time of his death. He recently travelled with his son, Tim, to the National Scouting Historian Summit at the Philmont Training Center, Cimmaron, NM, where he completed training as a Scouting Historian. He was known for his kind heart, quick wit, sense of humor, and his genuine love of people.
Mickey was preceded in death by his father, Francis (Frank). He is survived by his wife, Christine, his four children, Kelly Elizabeth of Frederick, MD, Samuel Dominic Perl of Westfield, Casey Sherrill of Philadelphia, PA, Timothy James-Gareth of Westfield, their rescued dog, Luna, grandchildren Marshall and Logan, his mother, Estelle, sisters Karen Bonnet, Oceanside, NY, and Dorothy Senay, Charlotte, NC, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 24th, from 5-9 pm at Gray Funeral Home, 318 East Broad Street, Westfield. Mickey's funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 10 am at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church 315 First St. at Westfield Ave, Westfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Brendan's Meadows Rescue, PO Box 1122, Mountainside, NJ 07092, or Scouts BSA Troop 73 Memorial Campership Fund c/o 414 Westfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ 07090. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
To order
memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael Steven "Mickey" O'Brien, please visit our
flower store.