John Joseph (Joe) O’Brien, Sr., 91, of Wesley Chapel, FL passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at American House ALF in Wesley Chapel.
Joe was born in Franklin Springs, NY on June 6, 1935 to the late John Walter and Mary (Weimer) O’Brien.
An avid athlete, Joe played hockey and was co-captain of the football team at Hamilton College. After college he began working at Prudential in Newark, NJ before he was drafted in to the army. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Germany from 1958 – 1960 and made the most of his time off traveling extensively throughout Europe.
After the army, he returned to work at Prudential where he met Gilda Mirti and the two were married on September 5, 1964, beginning a 60-year commitment to each other and their family.
For 35 years Joe and Gilda lived in Berkeley Heights, NJ where they raised their three sons and became an integral part of the community. Joe was a Cub Scout Pack Leader from 1969 – 1974, a baseball coach from 1974 – 1979, a football coach from 1971 – 1983, served on the PAL Board of Directors from 1979 – 1981 and was inducted into the Berkeley Heights PAL Hall of Fame.
In 1995, after 37 years, Joe retired from Prudential as President and COO of GIB Laboratories.
Joe and Gilda moved to Inverness, FL in 2000, where they attended St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Lecanto and were members of the Citrus Hills Golf and Country Club, and the American Irish Club. They split their time between Florida and their house on Waneta Lake in the Finger Lakes. In both locations they were surrounded by great friends and neighbors.
Joe was a devoted husband and father whose love showed up in the everyday moments—peaceful mornings looking out over Waneta Lake, quiet evenings on the lanai with a glass of wine, and watching football and hockey games. He guided his sons with patience and strength, teaching them boxing, showing them how to tackle home repairs, and instilling courage, toughness, loyalty, integrity, humility, determination, and compassion—qualities that shaped the men they are today.
A lover of fishing, music and poetry, with a great sense of humor, Joe would sing songs every holiday (especially St. Patrick’s Day) and his home was always filled with laughter. With his wisdom and steady presence, Joe was the rock of his family. He gave his sons the freedom to find their own paths and stood behind them every step of the way, cheering them on with pride.
Joe is survived by his sons John Joseph O’Brien, Jr (wife, Parul) of Dade City, FL, Michael Julius O’Brien (wife, Beata) of Glen Ridge, NJ, and Thomas Edward O’Brien (wife, Rebecca) of Dundee, NY; his beloved grandchild, Caeley Jill O’Brien; his sister, Mary Joyce Barron; his Sister-in-Law, Florence Mirti as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He is predeceased by his wife Gilda Theresa (Mirti) O’Brien, his parents John Walter and Mary (Weimer) O’Brien, his Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law Julius and Theresa (Giometti) Mirti, his Brother-in-Law Conrad Barron, his Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law George and Marie (Mirti) Dent, his Brother-in-Law Anthony Mirti and Sister-in-Law Rose (Russo) Mirti.
A private service will be held for the family. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family invites you to make a donation to your local youth athletics program.
The family is being assisted by the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Cremation Care.
Add Comment