Obituary of William O'Brien

Bill O’Brien passed away surrounded by family on October 14, 2023, in Reston, VA at the age of 93.

He was born on July 25, 1930, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to William Charles O’Brien and Dorothy Margaret Wignall.  He graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a degree in journalism.  He married the love of his life, Peg (Margaret Mary Melady) in 1957, and they were married for more than 66 years. 

After graduating college, Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in San Antonio, Texas as a medic, and also as a reporter for various publications of the armed services. 

He went on to a highly successful career as an international salesman for IBM, travelling throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia for the company.  Later, he served as Director of Marketing for the entrepreneurial multi-media firm, Carabiner.  That led him to open his own company, where he counseled global corporations on brand and marketing issues.

Peg and Bill raised their family in Somers, N.Y. After retirement, they moved to Reston, VA to be near their grandchildren.  

Bill’s passions included cheering on the Nationals with Peg, photography, writing and genealogy.   He loved connecting people from all parts of his life, which later included tracing his family history back more than 400 years and sharing his findings with his expanding international family. 

In addition to Peg, he is survived by his children, Kathleen Ryan, Patricia, Sally O’Brien McNeely (Dennis) and William (Paula), his beloved grandchildren Maggie McNeely Jervey (Bryan), Graham McNeely (Shannon), Bridget and Beck O’Brien.  He was predeceased by his sister Joan O’Brien Anderson.

A funeral Mass will be held on October 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Herndon, VA, followed by a burial at 12 noon at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.  There will be a visitation from 9 to 10 a.m. at Adams Green Funeral Home.  For more information, please visit www.adamsgreen.com. 

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Bill O’Brien to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate.