Vincent G. O'Brien

Vincent G. O’Brien ... longtime Hudson resident; 88

MARLBOROUGH - Vincent G. O’Brien, 88, a Boston native and longtime Hudson resident who moved to Marlborough during his later years, died Tuesday, July 7, after a short illness. He was the husband of Nancy E. (Smith) O’Brien, with whom he would have celebrated 54 years of marriage on Aug. 6.

He was born in Boston, on Oct. 6, 1931, a son of the late William J. and Jeannie (Cooney) O’Brien. He grew up in the city’s Mission Hill neighborhood, graduating from Mission High School in 1950. Vin attended Boston College, paying his way by working as a hotel bellhop before earning a bachelor’s degree in business in 1954. He enjoyed a long career working for the federal government in the Social Security Administration. He spent a few years in South Bend, Indiana, before returning to Massachusetts, working in offices in Boston, Worcester and Fitchburg. He retired in 1990 as deputy regional commissioner. Vin then went on to have an extensive second career working for 20 years in the post office at Regis College in Weston. He met the love of his life, the former Nancy Smith, in 1965, marrying her a year later. They first lived in Hyde Park, then moved to Hudson in 1968 where they would live for the next 47 years, first on Richardson Road and later in the Quail Run community.

Vin was a longtime communicant of St. Michael Church and supporter of its parochial schools. He was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Red Sox, Patriots and his BC Eagles. He was a proud member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, where he made many lasting friendships. In his later years, he adopted a poodle, Paddy, who became a constant and faithful companion. Vin was known to enjoy a long walk, a good mystery novel and vacations to Cape Cod, where he and his wife eventually purchased a second home. In February 2015, Vin and his wife moved to the New Horizons Assisted Living Center in Marlborough, then moved last summer to the Hearthstone Alzheimer Care facility next door.

Besides his wife, survivors include two sons, Daniel G. and his wife, Barbara, of Hudson, New Hampshire, and Michael C. and his wife, Juliette, of San Ramon, California; a daughter, Maura A. Miller and her husband, Thomas, of Marshfield Hills; seven grandchildren, Molly O’Brien of Los Angeles, Megan and Sarah O’Brien, both of Hudson, New Hampshire, Shane O’Brien of Las Vegas, and Meredith, Maeve and Maggie Miller, all of Marshfield Hills; two sisters, Margaret “Mara” St. Cyr and Bernadette Corbett and her husband James, all of Boston; a sister-in-law, Louise O’Brien, of Boston; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by six brothers, Thomas, Jack, Coleman, William, Francis and Patrick "Albie"; and two sisters, Mary and Kathleen.

Calling hours will occur from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, July 13, at St. Michael Church, 21 Manning St. Hudson, MA, with burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery. .