Obituary of Francis E. O’Brien

Francis E. O’Brien, 78, of Baldwinsville, NY died suddenly at home on Thursday, September 28, 2017.  He was born in Utica, NY on August 28, 1939 to Francis and Katherine Delaney O’Brien.  As a young man he attended Christian Brother’s Academy until his family moved to Elmira, NY.   He graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1957.  He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Alfred University in 1961.  While in college he played football and was in the Army R.O.T.C.  After graduation he was stationed in Korea for 13 months.  Following an honorable discharge from military service, he moved to Watertown, NY and became an insurance salesman.  In 1967 he began working for New York Telephone in Watertown and met his future wife, Rita.  He worked there until his transfer to Syracuse, NY in 1977, where he eventually retired from his job as an Internal Auditor for NYNEX.  

​He was a proud father of four and grandfather of five.  Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Rita Rocker O’Brien of Baldwinsville; daughter Kathleen Tierno of Boonville, NY; son Joseph O’Brien of Baldwinsville; son Dr. John O’Brien (Anna) of Fayetteville, NY; daughter Molly Healy (Robert) of Sherrill, NY; sister Sharon Kosinski (Jim) of Belfast, Maine; and grandchildren Olivia Tierno, Katherine O’Brien, Mary O’Brien, James F. O’Brien, and Ella Healy.  

​He was passionate about spending time with his family, enjoying many vacations together in the Adirondacks.  He enjoyed reading and was an avid golfer.  He was an usher at Sacred Heart Church in Syracuse, NY and was proud of his supervisor’s job for events at the Carrier Dome.  He was an ardent fan of Syracuse University football and basketball.  He was very proud of his Irish heritage, having visited his ancestral homeland in 2004.

​Calling hours will take place on Monday, October 2, 2017 from 4 to 7 pm at Hollis Funeral Home, 1105 West Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY.  A Mass of Christian burial to celebrate his life will take place on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 9:30 am at Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 927 Park Avenue, Syracuse, NY.  Contributions in his name may be made to Sacred Heart Basilica

​The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to members of the Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department for their kindness and compassion.

​By wishes of the family, a private burial will take place on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 in Boonville, NY.