Mr Howard F. O'Brien

Mr. Howard F. O'Brien, Jr., age 89 of 81 Coomer Avenue, Warren and formerly of Herzig St., Bristol, died peacefully, Friday, January 30, 2015 at the RI Veterans Home, Bristol surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of the late Virginia V. (Arruda) O'Brien, who preceded him in death in 2002. Born in Warren, he was the son of the late Howard F. and Ida (Hinckley) O'Brien. A resident of Warren and Bristol for most of his life, he was a former winter resident of Port Charlotte, FL. Howard was a purple heart Army Veteran of WWII, where he served in the Company C 137th Infantry Regiment in Northern France during the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign. During the war he played drums with his Army Regiment's 23 piece orchestra, where he shared his drums with Mickey Rooney and performed with Judy Garland at one performance for the troops. He was a Civil Service employee at the US Navy Base in Newport for 33 years, retiring a number of years ago. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church, Bristol, and was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a 35 years member of the Bristol Council # 379, Knights of Columbus and the Moose Club in Port Charlotte, FL. Along with the wife Virginia, he was an active member for many years of the Bristol 4th of July Committee. He is survived by a son, William R. O'Brien (Susan) of Warren, a sister, Katherine Ferreira of Pawtucket, twelve grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Howard F. O'Brien, III (Esther) and a daughter, Cheryl Giasson. Funeral services from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol, Friday, February 6, 2015 at 9:00 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood Street, Bristol. Burial with Military Honors will follow in North Burial Ground, Hope Street, Bristol. Visitation will be Friday morning only from 9:00-10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the RI Veterans Home Fund, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809. For online condolences, shared memories, information and directions go to www.sansonefuneralhome.com

Service Information Visitation Friday February 6, 2015 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Sansone Funeral Home 192 Wood Street Bristol, RI 02809 --> Service Friday February 6, 2015 10:30 AM St. Mary's Church 330 Wood St. Bristol, RI -->