Richard O’Brien, formerly of Nashua, died peacefully at The Courville of Manchester on September 9 at the age of 90. Richard was born to Bridget (Maloney) and Patrick O’Brien in Manchester on May 2, 1931. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Maxine (McLeod) O’Brien, who died in 2003, and a son, Mark O’Brien, who died in 1994.

Richard spent nearly all of his childhood living on North River Road in Manchester. He often spoke of happy childhood memories with his five beloved siblings who predeceased him: Walter, Thomas, Grace, Robert, and Patsy. 

He was educated in Manchester Catholic schools until his family moved to Potter Place. He graduated from Andover High School in 1949.

While in Potter Place, he worked with his father and brothers running a service station known as O’Brien and Sons Potter Place Garage. He joined the US Navy in 1951 and was a proud Korean War Veteran.

Richard spent most of his career as a quality control inspector working at Sanders in Nashua, Kollsman Instruments in Merrimack, and Raytheon in Andover, Massachusetts.

He enjoyed more than 20 years of retirement, first splitting his time between Nashua and Zephyrhills, Florida. He then moved to Bentley Commons Assisted Living in Bedford, where he thrived for five years, enjoying choir, entertainment shows, and dear friendships before moving to The Courville.

He will be remembered for his easy-going nature, his smile, and his love of dancing, singing, and piano playing. While he will be missed dearly, his family is thankful for his long life and knows he now has been reunited with the many loved ones who passed before him.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Graves and her husband Ronald of Amherst; son Michael O’Brien and his girlfriend Debbie Smith of Nashua; son Thomas O’Brien and his wife Beverly of Hollis; daughter-in-law Valerie O’Brien of Merrimack; father-in-law Perley Ordway of Andover; as well as several beloved nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law. 

He was blessed with grandchildren, including Mark O’Brien and his fiance Ashley Simon; Kyle O’Brien; Keith O’Brien; Ashley O’Brien; Daniel O’Brien; Tyler O’Brien; Emily O’Brien; Timothy Graves and his wife Katie; Jeffrey Graves; and Christopher Graves and his wife Kalee. Richard was delighted to also have five great-grandchildren: Cailen O’Brien, Aria O’Brien, Paisley O’Brien, Leif Graves, and Finn Graves.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at The Courville of Manchester and the Amedisys Hospice who provided wonderful care to Richard.

In lieu of memorial flowers or donations, the family asks that you spend time with those you love, especially those in long-term care facilities; laugh, sing, dance, and know what a difference you make with your smile.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on September 14 at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Manchester. Burial with military honors followed in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

For more information, visit ConnorHealy.com.