William O'Brien Obituary

Seekonk – William H. O'Brien, Jr., of Sykes Road in Seekonk, Massachusetts, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the age of 91 years. He was the husband of the late Rose M. (Palana) O'Brien. Born in Pawtucket, he was a son of the late William H., Sr. and Beatrice (Dorian) O'Brien.
William attended Saint Raphael Academy and earned degrees from both Providence College and Rhode Island College. He went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict as a platoon sergeant. William was subsequently employed by the Barrington School Department as a teacher, athletic coach and administrator. He was a member of the Rhode Island Principal's Committee on Athletics and served as director of football for ten years. William also served on the National Federation of State High Schools on the football rules committee for ten years, and as a member of the Prov Gridiron Club, he was inducted into the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.
William is survived by four descendants, Daniel O'Brien and his wife, Zenaida, of Carrollton, Texas, Patricia Moore and her husband, Dr. Gene Moore, of Williston, Vermont, Paula O'Brien of Seekonk, Massachusetts, and William O'Brien of Barnstable, Massachusetts; one sister, Mrs. Charles Viall of Burke, Virginia; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and his exceptional neighbors, Irene and Armand Perrault and John Enright. He was the brother of the late Robert O'Brien.
Interment with Military Honors will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel, 550 Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, Rhode Island. Calling hours and flowers are respectfully omitted. Arrangements are entrusted to William W. Tripp Funeral Home, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. TrippFuneralHome.com