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Paul Francis O’Brien, 89, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Sunrise Living, in Des Peres, Missouri, his home since September 2024, where he had moved from New Hampshire to be near to his son and family.
Mr. O’Brien departed after a brief downturn of health. A few days before, he had been up and around his residence and in the dining room where he enjoyed eating amongst new friends.
Mr. O’Brien was the fifth child born to Joseph and Ellen (Sullivan) O’Brien on March 15, 1936 in Winchester, Mass. He was predeceased by his wife Elaine (Messier) of 50 years, in May of 2022, his siblings: John (Jack) O’Brien, Joseph O’Brien, Anne Fuller, and Katherine Mackun.
He leaves behind, his dear and only son Hector, wife, Mei-Jung Lu of St. Louis, Mo., and his granddaughters, Angelina and Natalie O’Brien.
Mr. O’Brien graduated from Winchester High School in 1954, as a dedicated student and accomplished athlete. He participated in all seasons of sports: football, basketball, and was a record holding track-star.
He went on to Tufs University and got a degree in accounting. After a two year stint in the United States Navy, he earned an MBA at Babson Institute in 1962.
After meeting and marrying his love Elaine in 1972, they enjoyed traveling and bicycling vacations in the U.S. and around the world. They settled down in Lexington, Mass., raising their son and many happy cats.
In 1976, Mr. O’Brien obtained a law degree from Suffolk University in Boston, Mass. He loved learning and always sought to take on challenges whether physical or scholastic.
Mr. O’Brien had a long and devoted 41-year career working for the U.S. government in Boston. He was an auditor within the Department of Homeland Security. At his retirement in 2004, he worked within the Customs and Border Protection Division.
Paul and Elaine, loving the ocean, moved to the Seacoast of New Hampshire to enjoy many happy years in Portsmouth. They continued their active life of theater-going, attending lectures, exploring the U.S., traveling abroad, and taking continuing education courses.
Mr. O’Brien continued his athletic pursuits of tennis and training for half marathons.
The couple enjoyed a long run of gathering with their friends and families at their Suzanne Drive home. In their senior years, they moved briefly to Kittery Estates in Kittery, Maine and then made their home at Cornerstone at Hampton, N.H.
We have multiple ways to remember this man with “nine lives.”
Mr. O’Brien took on the numerous health challenges like he did attending school. He did his homework, asked all the questions, (and then found some more questions), and then he vigorously pursued the PT, as if he was at the gym.
He was an extrovert who lit up every room he entered, even in his declining years. At Cornerstone Senior Living, he was known as “the dancer” because he greatly enjoyed all the music and entertainment. He was curious about many things, tried lots of hobbies, and then stuck to his day job of making things nice for Elaine.
Nothing charged up Mr. O’Brien like an animated political discussion. He was a news junkie and he stayed current with the Boston sports scene.
He cherished his nieces and nephews and phone calls with his high school buds and relatives. He was incredibly proud of his wife, his son, and his brilliant granddaughters.
A private memorial for the family and close friends is planned for July. Mr. O’Brien will be buried in the Messier Family plot with Elaine in Woonsocket, R.I.
In lieu of flowers, a financial donation may be given in his honor to: New Hampshire Food Bank, 700 East Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, NH 03109 or New Hampshire SPCA, PO Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885.
Correspondence can be e-mailed to Hector O’Brien at chessnovice1973@gmail.com or mail: 6214 Patchin Circle, St. Louis, MO 63128.
