Francis Xavier O'Brien, 76, of State College, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
Born February 26, 1933, in Scranton, PA, he was a son of the late Dr. Michael G. and Rosella Kelly O'Brien. On February 27, 1960, in Cleveland, OH, he married Margaret Ann Moorhead, who survives at home.
In addition to his wife he is survived by five children; Molly (Frank Jackman) of Kensington, MD; Timothy (Kyong Mi) O'Brien of Houston; TX, Katy (Bill Tegethoff) of Clarksburg, MD; Sharon O'Brien of Annapolis, MD; and Christopher O'Brien (Seunghee Lee) of Silver Spring, MD; a brother John (Elizabeth) of Clearwater, FL; a sister Rosemarie (John) Cleaver of Wayne, PA; six grandchildren: Caroline, Conor and Margaret Jackman; Peter and Brooke Tegethoff; and Yuna O'Brien; a brother-in-law James Moorhead of Cleveland, OH; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers: Michael, Thomas and Joseph.
Frank graduated from Scranton Preparatory School in 1950, and began his life-long dedication to all things Penn State as a member of the school of Hotel and Restaurant Administration, Class of 1954, and the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. He was a Field Director at the Penn State Alumni Association when he retired in 1998. He volunteered for the American Red Cross, the Sports Museum at Penn State, the Penn State Alumni Association, and at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church.
Frank's quick wit, enthusiasm for Penn State sports, Ireland, and the beach, regularly brought the family together for football weekends in Happy Valley, summers at the shore, and great O'Brien family reunions. His oratory skills made him a highly sought after speaker.
He was an avid swimmer, a member of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society, the Nittany Lion Club, and the Quarterback Club, and served in the US Navy from 1954-1956.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, May 1, 2009, from 7-8:30pm; and the Mass of Christian burial at 1pm Saturday, May 2 -- both at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 867 Gray's Wood Blvd., State College, with the Reverend Philip Bender officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Nursing Agency, 201 Chestnut Avenue, PO Box 352, Altoona, PA, 16603-0352; or Good Shepherd Catholic Church, PO Box 8186, State College, PA, 16805.
A guestbook can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com