William F. "Bill" O'Brien
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William F. "Bill" O'Brien

  • November 19, 1920 - December 28, 2011
  • Melrose, Massachusetts
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“Dear Ginny, Bob and Family, You had a wonderful guy in your life for many, many years. He showed us the value of family and friends and for that...Read More » ”
1 of 5 | Posted by: Val & Tim Martinson - Melrose, MA

“My Dad, John P. Fraher, and Obie (as my Dad always called him) were boyhood companions, and shared lots of great adventures. I met Bill and his wife...Read More » ”
2 of 5 | Posted by: Peg Fraher LeGendre - MA - Friend

“I knew Bill mainly through his daughter, Ginny, and his granddaughter, Julia, both of whom spoke well of him. I met Bill himself when I was able to...Read More » ”
3 of 5 | Posted by: Robin Merrill - Arlington, MA

“I met William a few times with my dear friend Steve who is William's grandson. I thought he was a great man. He was funny and very friendly. I'm sure...Read More » ”
4 of 5 | Posted by: Jason Grant - Mechanic Falls, ME

“I met Bill when I was a boy scout many years ago and he was super helpful to me when I was a young boy. I never forgot his kindness and helpfulness....Read More » ”
5 of 5 | Posted by: don valerio - wakefield, MA


  • Stephen, Julia and Grampy in the early 1970s
  • Julia and her grandfather

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Mr. William F. "Bill" O'Brien, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away on Wednesday morning, December 28, 2011 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital at the age of 91.

William was born on November 19, 1920 in Boston, one of six children of the late James P. O'Brien and Margaret M. (Doyle) O'Brien. He was raised in Boston where he graduated from High School. Mr. O'Brien worked on jet engines as a tool and die maker at Ellis Tool and Die Co. in Malden for many years. He was active with the Boy Scouts in Melrose and in 1969, hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Bill received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Flying Cross while serving during World War II.

He was the beloved husband of the late Alice M. (Anderson) O'Brien with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. Loving father of Virginia A. "Ginny" Griffin and her husband Bob of Melrose, Robert A. O'Brien of Revere, and the late William F. O'Brien, Jr. Dear brother of the late John O'Brien, Marguerite Hooper, Helen Wenners, Julia Rauhaut, and James O'Brien. Cherished grandfather of Julia Simpson of FL, Robert Stephen Griffin II of Peabody, Kirsten M. O'Brien of CA, and William F. O'Brien, III, of CA. Loving great grandfather of Sabrina, Neil, and Althea.

Relatives and friends will honor and remember Bill's life by gathering for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, January 2 from 2-6 PM and again on Tuesday morning where his Funeral Service will be celebrated at 10:00 AM. Interment with military honors presented by the US Army in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.