Obituary: Reverend John Francis O’Brien

With faith in the Resurrection of Jesus, we offer our prayers for Reverend John Francis O’Brien who entered eternal life on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the age of 95. 

Father O’Brien was born June 26, 1929, in Oshkosh to Dr. E. J. and Margaret Ann (Hart) O'Brien. He is a graduate of St. Patrick Grade School and Central Catholic High School, Green Bay. While at Central he was the State Inter-Scholastic Boxing Champion. In 1951, he earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN. While at Notre Dame he was the 140 pound boxing champion in 1950 and in 1951. He also attended St. John Seminary in Collegeville, MN. 

On June 4, 1955 Father O’Brien was ordained by Bishop Stanislaus V. Bona at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. Father's first assignments were at St. Agnes in Green Bay and later St. Mary's in Menasha. After earning a Master's Degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1959, Father O'Brien served as Spiritual Director at Xavier High School in Appleton and was later named Principal of Marinette Catholic Central High School. Father O'Brien also served as a 1st Lieut., Chaplain, in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1968, he was made Pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Greenleaf, was later named Co-Pastor of Nativity Parish in Green Bay and later Pastor of St. Mary's in Brillion. 

In 1982, Father O'Brien became pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Green Bay where he remained until his retirement in 1999. While at St. Patrick Parish he restored the rose window and had the church steeple rebuilt. He was also instrumental in having the church remodeled to allow handicap access.

Father O’Brien will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful gentleman that loved spending time with his family.  He would enjoy trips to Door County and taking many cruises on which he was able to be the Chaplain.  He was thankful to have his family and close friend, Marlene VanBoxtel, as travel companions. Father O’Brien would often be found cheering on the Bucks, Packers, Brewers and Notre Dame.  He was proud of his Irish Heritage. 

He is survived by his sister, Patricia Schnieder; sister-in-law, Sally O’Brien; nephews, Tim (Jane) O’Brien, Sean (Angela)O’Brien, Jeremy (Andrea) O’Brien,  Tom Schneider, Paul (Nicole) Schneider; nieces, Carey O’Brien Podlesnik, Mary (Mark) DePrey, Therese (Mark) Koller, Kathleen (Jim) Zimmermann; many great nephews and great nieces.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Father Charles O’Brien, Father Christian “Tom” O’Brien O. Praem, Michael O’Brien; brother-in-law, Don Schnieder. 

Reception of the body by Very Reverend Mathew Simonar will take place at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th at St. Patrick Oratory, 211 N Maple Ave, Green Bay. Visitation will follow from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  with a wake service beginning at 6:45 p.m., led by Very Rev. Dennis Ryan. Visitation will continue at church on Friday, December 6, from 9 to 10:45 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy, expressing our faith and hope in the Lord’s Resurrection will be on Friday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m., at the church with Very Reverend Mark Vander Steeg presiding. His cousin, Reverend Bill O’Brien will be the homilist. Burial at Allouez Catholic Cemetery will be immediately following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to benefit the Curran Spiritual Center or to the Norbertine Abbey.