Gene William ‘Bill’ O’Brien

Gene William “Bill” O’Brien passed away on Oct. 24, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bill was born Nov. 11, 1949 in Binghamton, N.Y. He moved to Greencastle in 1961 when his family came with the IBM move from New York to Greencastle.

He graduated from Greencastle High School in 1968.

He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. While in the service, Bill contracted spinal meningitis. His family remembers the day two Marines came to their door to inform his parents how seriously ill he was. Bill recovered, served his country and upon his leaving the Marines he came home to join the Greencastle Fire Department.

During his 20-plus years with the Greencastle Fire Department, Lt. O’Brien was the fire prevention officer and inspector for the local department. Upon leaving the fire department, Bill was employed at Heartland Automotive in Greencastle where he served as safety coordinator and was referred to as “Safety Bill.”

Bill was a lifetime member at the American Legion Post 58 and member of the VFW and Moose Lodge.

Growing up near the Susquehanna River, Bill learned to love fishing. He carried out that love throughout his years and he and his wife, Brenda, took their grandchildren, Jordan and Lauren, fishing often.

Bill also enjoyed gardening and watching the birds and squirrels in their back yard.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Barron O’Brien; their daughter, Abby O’Brien Boston (Randy) of Indianapolis; and his grandchildren, Jordan and Lauren Boston. He is also survived by his sisters, Gail O’Brien Tharp of Danville and Sharon O’Brien Bronson of West Sand Lake, N.Y., and brothers Jack O’Brien (Joyce) of Greencastle and Jim O’Brien (Shelia) of Bainbridge and brother-in-law Randy Barron (Debbie) of Bristol, Tenn.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Francis and Barbara (Pope) O’Brien and his sister, Nancy O’Brien McMains.

Bill loved his country, family and helping others. He will be missed by family and many friends.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle, on Wednesday Oct. 28. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.– 1 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests people share Bill’s goal of doing something to help a stranger every day.