John "Jack" Sherman O'Brien

A Mass of Christian Burial for John Sherman (Jack) O'Brien will be celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Queenstown, MD, on Wednesday, October 24, at 12:00 pm. Visitation for family & friends will be at 11:00 am, in the Memorial Room of the church. Mr. O'Brien will be buried in the church cemetery next to his son Conor Patrick O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien, who was born March 5, 1933, in Baltimore, was a cancer patient and died at his home in Ruthsburg on October 19, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, R. Clare O'Brien; a daughter, Heather O'Brien Dhue of Goldsboro; a son, Brendan Patrick O'Brien of Easton; three grandsons, Liam Mc O'Brien of St. Michaels; Gordon S. Dhue and Andrew R. Dhue; and his son in-law Wayne C Dhue, all of Goldsboro Also surviving are his sister in-law, Barbara L. Cosden of Whiteford, and his brother in-law Edward G Keller of Halethorpe, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. O'Brien was the son of Marian S. and Brendan Michael O'Brien. Besides his son Conor, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Teresa Lawrence and Margaret Lawrence, and his grandparents, William and Leona Murdoch. He attended public and private schools in Baltimore, MD, and military school in NJ. Following military school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for three years as a "combat correspondent." Mr. O'Brien, who was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant, was also a dedicated member of the Sgt. Jason D. Mileo Detachment, Marine Corps League Centreville, where he served as chaplain for many years. Following military service and studies at the University of Maryland, Mr. O'Brien spent over 30 years as a Maryland newspaper man in Baltimore, Annapolis, and on the Eastern Shore. In Annapolis besides being the city editor, he was well known for his column "Writers Cramp." On the Shore, he was also the editor of the upper shore county newspapers, where he began writing his column "Beaten Biscuits." Mr. O'Brien received numerous awards from the Maryland /Delaware/ D.C Press Association, not only for his columns, but also for his news articles and photography. Mr. O'Brien's wood carving hobby led to many years on the regional craft show circuit. Most of his work reflected his well-known sense of humor. Examples of his whimsical folk art can be found in some 27 states and 12 foreign countries, as well as gift shops of leading regional museums. Mr. O'Brien requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the MCL Detachment, PO Box 847, Centreville, MD 21617; and/or Compass Regional Hospice 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617; or a mass card may be obtained at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, Centreville, MD.

John "Jack" Sherman O'Brien

March 5, 1933 - October 19, 2018