Paul Robert O'Brien

Paul Robert O’Brien, 66, passed away in October 2019 in Bremerton, Washington, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in August 1953 in Lowell, Massachusetts, the son of Robert L. and Eileen C. O’Brien and stepmother Mary E. O’Brien. He grew up in Chelmsford and graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1972. He attended Northern Essex Community College and Olympic Community College. As a young man he left New England, first heading to Alaska. He was settled in Washington State by the mid 1970s. He worked briefly as a logger and later fished commercially and skippered a tender. He joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Union in Port Angeles and then the Pile Drivers, Divers, Bridge, Dock, & Wharf Builders Local 196 in Tacoma, working more than 35 years as a journeyman pile driver, welder, and commercial diver. He commuted to work on bridges, marinas and docks all over Puget Sound, from Naval Station Puget Sound in Everett to the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. After retiring, he taught welding for several years at the Carpenter Training Center in Kent. He served as an advisor and set up the communications system for the dive tank at the diving training facility at the Carpenters International Training Center in Las Vegas. He was active in the union, serving as an alternate delegate, 2006-2008 and as a delegate 2008-2010. He enjoyed organizing teams to represent his local in the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters annual Scholarship Endowment Golf Tournament. In 2002, Paul married his wife, Anne, who will always treasure his love and kindness. His previous marriage to Jackie O’Brien was blessed by the birth of their daughter, Molly. Over the years, they all became one extended family and enjoyed many holidays and special occasions together. Paul was a devoted father. As Molly was growing up, he enjoyed annual snowboarding trips with her and their friends. He was very proud of her and loved being a part of her life. Paul loved his family and friends with all his heart. He cherished his sister, Jane, and his brother, John, and their families. Paul made friends everywhere he went. He was a gifted storyteller, sharing his wonderful sense of humor and joy of living with everyone around him. He enjoyed golfing with friends and sailing on sunny days. He kept in touch with a wide circle of friends online. Paul was modest about the many ways he helped others, and most people don’t know how much he did as a mentor and friend. He was blessed with the ability to connect with others, share his experiences and inspire hope. Whenever he got a call of appreciation, he would smile for days. He is survived by his wife, Anne, and his daughter, Molly O’Brien; by his sister, Jane O’Brien and her sons and their families – Eric Daniel and Mark and Lauren Daniel, and their children Connor and Cailyn; by his brother John and Anne O’Brien and their children Meghan O’Brien and Shaun O’Brien, by his sister-in-law Amy Sigman and by his extended family – Jackie O’Brien and Steve Stolee, Cam Harmon, Glenda Warn, nephew Cory Warn, Gary Balhorn and Sophia Prins and by a host of friends he considered family. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, stepmother and by his beloved nephew, Patrick O’Brien. We would like family and friends to participate in remembering Paul by sharing memories to be read during a Celebration of Life. To contribute your stories and thoughts, please email them to PaulStories196@gmail.com and be sure to include your name. The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. in the ballroom at The Inn at Gig Harbor, 3211 56th St. NW in Gig Harbor. There will be a reception immediately following at the same location. The family suggests memorial contributions to the PNWRCC Scholarship Fund, care of Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, 25120 Pacific Hwy S #200, Kent, WA 98032.