Edward M. "Mickey" O'Brien

GIRARD – Edward M. “Mickey” O’Brien, 84, passed away Wednesday evening, June 7, 2017, at Shepherd of the Valley in Niles, following a lengthy illness.

Edward, who was known to all as “Mickey,” was born Dec. 26, 1932, in Girard, a son of the late Edward and Lottie Brown O’Brien, and was a lifelong area resident.

He was a 1951 graduate of Girard High School and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War aboard the S.S. Coral Sea.

Mickey worked briefly for the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and ran hotels and restaurants throughout the area.

Mr. O’Brien was a member and past-commander of American Legion Post, No.  235 in Girard.

Mickey was very proud of his Irish heritage and was an avid fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He greatly enjoyed genealogy and spending time with his family, and he recorded many home movies to preserve a record of his family. Mickey was most proud of his children and grandchildren and was always their biggest champion.

Mr. O’Brien leaves his wife of 60 years, Alice Werner O’Brien; four children, Cheryl (Larry) Young of Johnston, Michael (Cindy) O’Brien of Reynoldsburg, Maureen O’Brien of Reynoldsburg, and Mary O’Brien (Carol Patrone) of Warren; six grandchildren, Joshua (Mary) Young, Rachel (Francisco) Monroy, Rebekah (Paul) Van Dop, Jakob (Jeri) O’Brien, Joel O’Brien, and Michal O’Brien; and five great-grandchildren, with another on the way.

A sister, Cecelia Dennis preceded Mickey in death.

Family and friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday, June 12, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 222 S. State St., Girard, where a celebration of life service will take place at noon.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

Mr. O’Brien’s family gratefully thanks the staff with Shepherd of the Valley for the kindness shown and care given to Mickey during his stay there.

In lieu of flowers, Mickey’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to the International Relief Fund through samaritanspurse.org, on the “Operation Heal our Patriots” page.