Francis J. O'Brien

The Honorable Francis J. O'Brien, of Meriden, died April 29, 2008 after a long illness. He was the husband of 58 years if Ann Godfrey O'Brien.

He was born in 1919, in Cleveland, Ohio, but lived most of his life in Meriden. He served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, and held degrees from Fordham University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. As a partner in the law firm of O'Brien, Komisky, Noonan and Shea, he was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts. After appointment as judge of the Meriden City Court in 1959, he was elevated to the Circuit Court in 1961; to the Court of Common Pleas in 1965; and in 1972, he was named Chief Judge of that court. He was appointed to the Superior Court where he served until his retirement at age 81 in 2002. During his 40 years on the bench, he presided in many jurisdictions throughout the state. But no part of his professional career was more personally satisfying to Judge O'Brien than his final years in Waterbury, where he and the members of that bar held each other in high esteem. He was a man of abiding faith and had deep commitment to public service in the name of justice. He was devoted to his wife and family with whom he traveled extensively. He enjoyed music, played the piano and sang for many years with the Turner Singing Society of Meriden. He served on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank and of the Meriden-Wallingford Hospital.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sisters, Geraldine O. Sullivan and Joan V. O'Brien; his daughter, Jean O. Livingston, and son-in-law, L. Michael Livingston; his sons, Francis Gerald (Jerry) O'Brien, Thomas P. O'Brien and Robert E O'Brien; two grandchildren, Peter G. Livingston, and Elizabeth M. Livingston; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Mary K. O'Brien

Services were held May 2 from DellaVecchia Funeral Home, Southington, to Mary Our Queen Church, Plantsville. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Waterbury.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice, 267 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451 or MidState Medical Center, 435 Lewis Ave., Meriden, CT 06450.