CAROLINA SHORES — Dennis Michael O’Brien, 77, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020, after an extended battle with cancer.
He will be sorely missed by all, but especially by his wife, Claire Marie (nee Smith); four children, Maryellen, Dennis Jr. (Elizabeth Karst), Christopher (Nichol Bailey) and Brendan (Eileen Hennessy); nine grandchildren, Jack, Alec, Megan, Lily, Colin, Rory, Brigid, Chris and Cassidy; brother, John (Ronnie); and many nieces and nephews.
Dennis joined the U.S. Army in 1961, and was stationed in Berlin, Germany. After his military service, Dennis joined Local 543 (now Local 21) as a steamfitter in Yonkers, New York, and worked for 42 years before retiring to North Carolina in 2000.
Dennis and Claire were fortunate to have had many happy years together in retirement. Dennis was an excellent chef, enjoyed playing golf with his buddies (he even had a hole-in-one), and he was an avid reader. As a longtime member of the VFW and the American Legion, he participated in a host of volunteer activities. He was part of many color guards, memorial ceremonies and grade school visits. Dad was a very active person, and was constantly finding things to do and/or fix no matter the place or time of day.
In lieu of gifts, the family requests donations be made to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Research Center. Dad’s participation in a melanoma cancer trial in 2012 extended his life for eight years, and we are very grateful to all of the researchers who made that possible and to God for His infinite mercy.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 19, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, North Myrtle Beach.
Share online condolences with the family at Coastal Cremations.
