James Kenefick O'Brien Jr.

James Kenefick O’Brien Jr., 84, of St. Michaels, MD, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2014, at the University of MD Medical Center at Easton. He was born in Germantown, PA, on March 22, 1930. James was the only son of the late James K. O’Brien Sr. and Mary Carr O’Brien of Bala Cynwyd, PA. Mr. O’Brien graduated from Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, PA., and from Fordham University, School of Business in 1955. James served as a First Lieutenant during the Korean War and continued serving in the Army Reserves for an additional three years. As a businessman, James was President of O’Brien Industries of Livingston, NJ, for thirty years. In 1992, James authored and spearheaded the passing of a Constitutional Amendment for Victims' Rights. The Amendment was passed into Law in the Election of 1992 and the Law went into effect in December of 1992. James was elected Freeholder of Morris County, NJ, in 1993 and served for five years ending his term, as Director of the Board of Freeholders. James continued his service to his community when he was appointed Commissioner of the Victims' Rights Compensation Board for the State of New Jersey, by then Governor Christie Todd-Whitman. James served the Board until 2001. In 2001, James moved to St. Michaels, MD, where he served on the St. Michaels Community Center Board, on the Board of Community Connection, as well as the Board of the Child Advocacy Center of Easton, MD. An avid sailor, James belonged to the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, and the Miles River Yacht Club in St. Michaels, MD. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Georgia Courtney O’Brien; three children; James O’Brien III, Maureen O’Brien Scott and Erin O’Brien Higgins; six grandchildren, James O’Brien IV, Joseph O’Brien, Stephen O’Brien, Kenneth Higgins, Samantha Higgins and Colin Higgins; and his sister, Sarah O’Brien Lucynski. He was predeceased by his daughter, Deirdre O’Brien. A funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michaels Mission Church, 109 Lincoln Ave., St. Michaels, MD 21663. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Deirdre’s House (formerly The Deidre O’Brien Child Advocacy Center) 8 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07960, or visit www.deirdreshouse.org.

James Kenefick O'Brien Jr.

March 22, 1930 - December 26, 2014