James K. O’Brien


James K. O’Brien, beloved husband, son and brother, age 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Everett, Massachusetts on Wednesday, May 19, 2020. James, known as “Jim” or “Jimmy” to his friends and family, was born on May 23, 1961 in Lynn, Massachusetts to James E. O’Brien and Norene T. O’Brien. Jim, along with his two sisters, Kim-Marie (O’Brien) Phelan and Nerine (O’Brien) Sullivan, grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, which helped foster Jim’s great love of the ocean. Growing up in Marblehead, Jim enjoyed outings in the summer on his beloved Donzi motor boat, along with scuba diving and fishing. During his younger years, Jim’s mother would often refer to her son, Jimmy, as “Huck Finn”, as Jimmy, along with his childhood friend, John Perry, would often go off on local “adventures” that would always result in great stories to tell friends and family, and at times a visit to the “ER”. Jim was also a proficient skier, car and motorcycle enthusiast, enjoying rides on his Harley and drives in his Dodge Challenger automobile. Jim was a builder by trade, working along with his Father, James E. O’Brien, building custom homes on the North Shore. Later, Jim became a member of the Carpenters Union, where he finished out his career.

Jim met the love of his life and his best friend, his wife, Faith (Morelli) O’Brien back in 1995. Faith and Jim thereafter married on June 7, 2000 and were about to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this June 2020. Jim and Faith resided at their home in Everett, Massachusetts, along with Jim’s beloved rescue dogs, “Chico” and “Daisy” and Faith’s niece, Celeste Morelli. Jim and his wife, Faith enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling and dining out together as a couple.

Jim was an extremely loving and caring individual, with an engaging smile and infectious personality, who was beloved by all who knew him. Jim will be greatly missed and remembered with deep affection by his friends and family. In addition to his loving wife, Faith, Jim is survived by his mother, Norene O’Brien of Marblehead; his son, James John Wright of Burlington, VT.; his sisters: Kim-Marie Phelan of Marblehead and her husband, Mark O’Connor and Nerine Sullivan of Andover and her husband Timothy Sullivan; his nieces and nephews: Brittany O’Neil, Joshua O’Neil, Patrick Phelan and Timothy John Sullivan, Jr. Jim is predeceased by his father, James E. O’Brien.

All are invited to attend a Memorial Service for James on Thursday, June 25, 2020 from 9am-11am with a prayer service to begin at 11am in Boston Cremation, 287 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Avenue, Salem, Massachusetts 01970.

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31 Condolences

  1. Kelly Manni on May 23, 2020 at 1:57 am

    So sorry praying for everyone. Faith I am always her for you and love you so much.



  2. Barbara cleary smith on May 23, 2020 at 3:00 am

    Hon I’m so sorry.. I dont have words. love you feel free.to visit when travel is safer. Beach is always Peaceful you are most welcome.



  3. Rose Narath on May 23, 2020 at 3:07 am

    Oh Faith, I am so very sorry….



  4. Laurie Gaeta on May 23, 2020 at 3:11 am

    Faith, I’m so sorry for your loss,my thoughts & prayers are with you ❤️



  5. Theresa Bibbo on May 23, 2020 at 4:05 am

    Faith,
    I am so sorry . My thoughts and prayers are with you.



  6. Cristen moore on May 23, 2020 at 4:34 am

    Faith
    So sorry for your loss.
    Hugs
    Crissy Moore



  7. Carol Goodwin -knowlton on May 23, 2020 at 9:30 am

    Faith I’m sorry for your lost.



  8. Ellen Tedford on May 23, 2020 at 10:02 am

    Love from me, and from Laura, Philip and Brian.



  9. Adam and Kate Ewell on May 23, 2020 at 10:23 am

    I’m so sorry for your loss and his families loss . Thoughts and prayers for you and your family



  10. Tootie Clarke on May 23, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    Faith and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Are prayers are with you. Love paul Tootie and Family



  11. Tootie Clarke on May 23, 2020 at 1:11 pm

    Faith and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Are prayers are with you. Love Paul and Tootie Clarke and Family



  12. Meryl and Ed Kaplan on May 23, 2020 at 1:21 pm

    Dear Faith, so sorry for you, I can’t even imagine the pain your feeling. May he Rest In Peace. Ed and I send our heartfelt condolences



  13. Amy Duffy on May 23, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    Oh Faith, I’m so very sorry. I’ll be thinking of you



  14. Robin Buchanan and family on May 23, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Dear Faith, I’m so very sorry for your unimaginable loss. I have been praying for you daily and wishing I could take your pain away….Jim was a lucky man having you for his wife! My thoughts and prayers are with you!



  15. Jan Tuscano on May 23, 2020 at 2:31 pm

    Dear Faith,
    I was so sad to hear of your loss. I miss you. Much love



  16. Maureen Kilroy on May 23, 2020 at 3:28 pm

    Kim i am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences. The Kilroys. Across from the garden center. Bless him and your family at this difficult time. Sending love and hugs. Moe



  17. Bill mills on May 23, 2020 at 4:17 pm

    So sorry to hear of your loss.



  18. Elyse on May 23, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    Faith, I was shocked to hear, and so very sorry for your loss! Wish I could help ease your pain. Praying for you and sending you love.



  19. Darlene Hornblower on May 23, 2020 at 6:53 pm

    Faith , I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers
    Love ,
    Darlene Hornblower



  20. Marilyn Fleming on May 23, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    Faith I am truly so for your loss.My thoughts and prayers are with you at time



  21. Lucille on May 23, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    Faith,
    I am so very sorry about the loss of your husband. You be gentle with yourself.

    Hugs, lucille
    (Jayne’s friend)



  22. Bill Beal on May 23, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    Norene, Kim and Patrick. I remember his larger than life smile and laugh, at pool parties on Liberty Ln. My thoughts and prayers are with you



  23. Linda Botticelli on May 23, 2020 at 11:35 pm

    My deepest sympathy for your loss so sorry to hear about husband my thoughts are with you at this time



  24. April & Frank Lobuono on May 24, 2020 at 12:36 am

    Faith, we are truly sorry for the loss of your husband Jim, may he rest in eternal peace, our continued prayers, and condolences.. ❤ ❤



  25. Carla Passacantilli on May 24, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    Oh my Faith! Words can’t describe my sorrow for you. Jim will be watching over you as an angel. He was a great guy and will be sorely missed. I love you and always here for a lending shoulder to cry on or an ear to scream in!! Hang tight my friend!!



  26. Kelley Penta on May 24, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Oh Faith, I am so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine your heartbreak. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.

    With sympathy,
    Kelley Penta



  27. Uncle Bill Bates on May 24, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    My heartfelt prayers go out to you and the family for a soul lost way to early in life. Jimmy was a great guy a man with a heart of gold and a smile that would light up a room may he rest in peace out of pain and home at last.



  28. Ariann (Soldano) Nice on May 25, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Faith I’m so sorry . I have no words just know I’m thinking of you . Sending lots of hugs , love & prayers



  29. Maria Ciampa on May 26, 2020 at 12:36 pm

    Faith, I’m so very sorry for your unimaginable loss. My heart goes out to you and the family. You are in my prayers.



  30. Honey Amirault on May 26, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    Dear Faith,
    I just learned of Jim’s passing today. So very sorry for your loss. In my thoughts and prayers.



  31. James Wright on June 2, 2020 at 4:23 am

    Great guy , underappreciated in life to the point it broke his heart. He poured his soul into that garden Center only to die months later, forgotten with a sore body, given empty promises of raises and trucks only to be fired, and having his disability case swept under the rug by his own attorneys. Jim always did it the hard way. The honest way, and he probably loves you more than you love yourself even in death. He was a great father.



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