Fairport – Philip Anthony (Tony) O’Brien, 84, died on January 31, 2019 at the Friendly Home Memory Care Unit in Rochester, NY. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elaine O’Brien, his daughter Chris (Cowles), her husband Stephen and their daughter Jordan (21) and son Jack (17) and his daughter Claire (Joseph), her husband John and their two sons Reilly (16) and Shae (13). (https://glasshousefarms.org) Also survived by his sister Susan Briggs and sister-in-law Jane O’Brien and several nieces and nephews.
Tony Graduated from Brighton High School, The University of Rochester and later earned an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology. After graduation from the U of R and six months of active duty in the army reserves he joined the family business O’Brien Homes where he worked until his retirement in 1998.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, February 17 at 2pm at Mountain Rise United Church of Christ, 2 Mountain Rise, Fairport, NY. In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.
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3 responses to “O’Brien, Philip Anthony”
O’Brien Homes built our Forest Ridge house in 1970. It was a nice home and O’Brien homes was a well respected builder largely because of the integrity that the O’Brien family brought to the business. We got to know both Tony and Elaine through the business and the YMCA. Over time we became good friends. Rounds of golf, breakfast at Aubrey’s in Cape Vincent, many hours on the yoga mat, and visits to their Phoenix home and cottage on Canandaigua Lake. Tony was a sincerely good guy. So sorry that his final years were difficult for him and his family and happy that all have finally found peace. RIP.
Tony and I met at the U of R during our sophomore year and we joined the Army reserves after graduation (with serial numbers differing by 1). Two months of basic training at Ft. Dix in NJ was followed by 4 months stationed at Ft. Hamilton in Brooklyn (we named it the Hamilton Country Day Care for Boys and Girls). Since Tony had a car, we spent much leisure time exploring the “Big Apple”.
Upon our return to Rochester, Tony allowed me to bunk with him until such time as we both found our lovely brides. Much time has been spent together on and off the golf course in various locales over the years. I am blessed to have wonderful memories of my best friend and his passing is very painful. My love to Elaine and the family.
My late father Charles Strobel, was the long-time attorney for O’Brien Homes. He handled their land purchases and sales of completed homes. I remember Tony and his brothers so well! When I was a little girl and Tony was a recent college graduate, he managed to arrive at our house just about every morning to discuss business and pass over papers for that day’s real estate closing. My baby sister was brand new at the time and Tony LOVED seeing her every morning. My mother always thought that being with our family urged Tony on to marry Elaine and have a family of his own. My deepest condolences to Tony’s loved ones. May wonderful memories cheer you!