Joseph D. O'Brien, 83, Avid Sports Fan
Joseph D. O’Brien, 83, of Lorain, died Tuesday January 9, 2018 in the Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain after a sudden illness.
He was born April 22, 1934 in Lorain and was a lifelong resident of Lorain. Joseph attended St Mary Elementary School in Lorain and graduated from St Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He attended John Carroll University in Cleveland and Tri State University in Indiana and earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering.
He was a Civil and Structural Engineer and Trustee for RE Warner & Associates. He had just renewed his engineer’s license. He was considered a subject matter expert on road and bridge design and construction. Among may projects over his long career, he was proud to be part of the firm that designed the city of Lorain logo.
Joseph was proud of his Irish heritage and was a member of the Irish Heritage Club in Avon Lake and the West Side Irish Americans. He was a member of the Elks BPO Lodge #1301 of Lorain, Lorain Rotary Club and the City Club of Lorain. He was a long-time member of the Lorain YMCA and EMH Center for Health and Fitness. He was an avid reader and supporter of the Lorain Public Library and enjoyed Lakeview
Park.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing softball, handball, skiing and golf. He was an avid sports fan, especially of Notre Dame football and Cleveland Indians baseball. He was a proud supporter and alumni of St Ignatius High School.
He is survived by his children: Tami Schmittgen (Ed) of Buellton, California, Brigid O’Brien of Amherst and Joseph O’Brien of Lorain; 1 grandchild on the way and Gloria O’Brien (nee Bozsoki) of Lorain. He was preceded in death by his son Rick O’Brien and parents Joseph and Dorothy O’Brien (nee Sage).
The family will receive friends Tuesday January 16 th from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Peter Parish, 3501 Oberlin Ave, Lorain. The Rev. Craig Hovanec, pastor, will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to Elks BPO Lodge #1301, 203 W 6 th St, Lorain, OH. 44052.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Gluvna-Shimo- Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.