Eugene L. O'Brien Obituary (1923

Eugene L. O'Brien, 89, of Madison, passed away Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at King's Daughters' Hospital. He was born June 8, 1923 in Middleport, New York to John and Amelia Law O'Brien. He graduated from Middleport High School in 1941 and then attended the University of Cincinnati. His education was interrupted by World War II while he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946. Upon his discharge he returned to the University of Cincinnati where he completed his mechanical engineering degree, graduating in 1948. During this time he met a fellow student, Jean Kingsley Greiner of Madison. They were married at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Madison in 1952. After many years working in the engineering field in Ohio and Indiana, Eugene opened his own firm, O'Brien Engineering in Dayton, Ohio. In 1973, he moved his business to Madison and was responsible for many projects in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. He was the Jefferson County surveyor for twenty years and also served on the Jefferson County Planning Commission and as the City of Madison Engineer. He had a love for his work, especially surveying, and was a lifetime golf enthusiast. For many years he pursued another interest, raising red angus. He had a quick wit and a warm personality. Eugene never met a stranger and was known to be a kind and generous person. He never failed to have a positive outlook and his favorite expression in later years was, "Onward and upward." Fatherhood became him, he delighted in it. This pleasure continued into the years when he was a grandfather. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, whom he dearly loved and treasured, and his three siblings: John O'Brien, William O'Brien and Jane Mackey-Porter; his brother-in-law Robert Greiner and sister-in-law Mary Louise Greiner. SURVIVED BY He is survived by three children: Jack O'Brien of Madison, Jill (David) Miles of St. Augustine, Florida and Joan (Dana) Irvine of Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandchildren: Jackson O'Brien, Ryan Miles, Shannon Miles, Mary Tess Irvine, Amelia Irvine and Katherine Irvine; and his sister-in-law: Toni Greiner of Stuart, Florida as well as several nieces and nephews. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Services will be Monday, September 24, 2012, 11:00 a.m., Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street in downtown Madison, Indiana. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. VISITATION Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be directed to Friends of Shawe & Pope John. Cards will be available at the funeral home and the church. A SPECIAL THANK YOU The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all of Eugene's caretakers for their assistance and devotion. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Eugene L. O'Brien, please click here to visit our sympathy store.