Obituary of Vernon C. O'Brien

Vernon C. "Pete" O'Brien, Sr., 90, of State Highway 30, passed away Friday evening at his home with his loving family at his side. Born March 2, 1918 in Scotia, New York, he was the son of the late Clarence and Mabel Engle O'Brien. He was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School Class of 1935 and the Amsterdam School of Commerce where he studied bookkeeping. Vern was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, where he served with the C 491st AAA AW Battalion, 386 Anti- Air Craft Artillery attached to Patton's 3rd Army during the Central Europe Campaign, Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland. He first worked as a machinist for Mohawk Carpet Mills, BAM Industries and was last employed by General Electric of Schenectady retiring in 1981. After retiring he worked for his son, owner of "Vern, s Auto Body and Sales." Vern was a life time member for 30 years and a past Treasurer for the Florida Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Florida Reformed Church in Minaville. He enjoyed fishing, boating, gardening, was a Yankee Baseball fan and Dale Earnhardt Sr. fan and he loved spending time with his grandchildren. In his early years Vern played softball and was a very good pitcher. On April 17, 1949 he married the former Lorraine Drake. Besides his wife he is survived by two sons, Vernon C. Sherry O'Brien Jr. of Broadalbin, NY and Timothy R. Colleen O'Brien Sr. of the Town of Florida; four grandchildren, Christina Marie Peter Yates, Carra Lee O'Bien, Timothy R. Marlaina O' Brien Jr. and Robert V. O'Brien. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, at 11:00 AM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY with the Rev. Tim Alicki officiating. Burial will take place in spring at the Chuctanunda Cemetery in Minaville, NY with full Military Honors. A calling hour will be held on Tuesday from 10 to 11 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Vern's memory to the G.A.V.A.C., P.O.Box 11, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to the Florida Volunteer Fire Department, 6252 St. Hwy. 30, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to the Florida Reformed Church, 6252 St. Hwy 30, Amsterdam, NY 12010.