Contributions to the tribute of Jerome "Jerry" William O'Brien

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In Memory of

Jerome "Jerry" William O'Brien

1940 - 2021

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Thursday

December

Cocktail Hour Celebration

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Pinecrest Reception Centre

2500 Baseline Road

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

All guests will be asked to please produce their covid vaccination receipts.

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Interment Information

Pinecrest Cemetery

2500 Baseline Road

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Jane Harley donated to The Ottawa Mission

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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mary lynn donated to The Ottawa Mission

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Sarah and Jayne, in memory of a wonderful Dad, Barbara, Susan and Mary Lynn

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Carman Carroll uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

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We have so many wonderful memories of Jerry; cherished friend and dear colleague to both of us. From Carman’s time as Jerry’s co-worker at then PAC to Shelley’s time as an archivist and the recipient of his sage advice and wonderful chats, there was a great friendship. A ready smile, a mischievous glint in his eye, and a great story were alway on offer. Respected and loved by colleagues who became friends, Jerry we will hold you in our memories and in our hearts. Carman Carroll & Shelley Smith

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Ingrid, Andrea, Reema and Ashley purchased flowers

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

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Dearest Sarah and family, with heartfelt condolences, we are thinking of you during this difficult time. xox

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Kate, Jake and Charlie Whitley donated to The Ottawa Mission

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Jayne and Sarah…what a beautiful tribute to your Dad the obituary and the video are. It’s clear how much you loved him and will miss him. Lots of love from our family to yours.

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Kim Leblanc donated to The Ottawa Mission

Monday, November 29, 2021

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Ingrid, Nea and Elsa purchased flowers

Monday, November 29, 2021

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Thinking of you and wishing you peace, comfort and joy in this difficult time. Huge hugs xox.

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Rory harley posted a condolence

Saturday, November 27, 2021

What started out as a friendship between Jerry and my half-brother, Nick Fraser, transitioned to a later-in-life adoption by the Harley family. Circa 1962, when Jerry was dating Helen, O’B he would travel down from Antigonish on the train and often on Saturday mornings, I’d find O’B snoring away in the next bed to me in our big house in the Halifax Dockyard. Our family friendship grew and when Jerry and Nick finished university, they set off with Helen and Diana on their European driving adventure. The stuff of life followed; Jerry tried working for an oil company in Toronto, bailed and did his Masters at Dal, and tied the knot with Helen. I moved with my family to Ottawa and recall the day O’B came up for his interview with the Archives. It was raining, and he didn’t have a raincoat, so I loaned him mine. It must have helped, because he got the job. They went on to buy a house, and create a family with the happy addition of Jayne and Sarah. The family friendship with the O’Briens matured with them often crewing for my father on the Ottawa River, and barbeques and holidays spent together were just a given. The bond transcended the bad times, with Nick and Jerry completing Matelot, the boat being built by my father when he died. Jerry and Helen provided needed support to my mother, after my father’s, Nick’s and my half-sister Sandra’s premature deaths. Their clockwork like presence on Sunday afternoons at my mother’s home created a social circle that filled a void that I, then tasked with raising my family, was unable to fill. I remain eternally grateful. Sailing was a constant between O’B and me. We sailed in Halifax with my father; he crewed for me on Matelot in races on the Ottawa, we gunk holed the North Channel together, and after Helen’s passing, circumnavigated Lake Ontario. Jerry was conscientious, cerebral, diligent, funny, and apart from his aversion to instant coffee, which is by far easiest to prepare on a sailboat, a great shipmate. I miss him greatly. Rory Harley

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Heather Morgan posted a condolence

Friday, November 26, 2021

I Remember the Christmas we watched reruns of Mash between the wine and Mash we did not stop laughing. There are very few left like you. Heather Morgan (Duncan's Mum)

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Barb Mullally posted a condolence

Thursday, November 25, 2021

My deepest condolences to Jayne, Sarah and Duncan. Your father will forever bring a huge smile to my face when recalling all the chats we've shared over the years. Summer of 2022 we will plan a "Celebration Wheelbarrow Party" . A time to share stories, a fine glass of red wine, plenty of seafood and lots of hugs with your Maritime Family" lots of love ❤

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From Danielle and Christian purchased flowers

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

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Remembering you and Jerry in our minds and in our hearts. He was a true friend to Nick and we will never forget our times together on Killiick.

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Scott James uploaded photo(s)

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

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Jerry was my first friend in Canada, We were grad History students at Dalhousie in 1966.Every Saturday my wife Jo and I were guests of Helen and Jerry for spaghetti dinner and hockey (new to us), Thus it came to be that I witnessed the last time the Leafs won the Cup. When I left for Toronto and the City Archives, Jerry left for Ottawa and the PAC. We had parallel careers and kept in touch. Memorably we shared a suite in the Lord Nelson on the occasion of the ACA Annual Conference in 1981 - party central for three days! The photo of Jerry, me and Helen was taken in August 1992 on visit to Ottawa. Scott James

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Brian Marley-Clarke Posted Mar 19, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Jerry O'Brien was an intelligent and faithful Canadian .A reliable colleague and friend. I will miss his humour and story-telling. Brian Marley-Clarke, Cochrane, Alberta.

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Alan McCullough posted a condolence

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Many years ago Jerry told stories about the Navy and his sailing adventures on Lac Deschenes in the cafeteria at the Public Archives. I was fascinated and encouraged to take up sailing myself. I imagine he influenced many others in the same way. I am saddened by his death and give my condolences to his family. Alan McCullough

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The family of Jerome "Jerry" William O'Brien uploaded a photo

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

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Cole Funeral Services:

2500 Baseline Road,
Ottawa, Ontario K2C 3H9

Telephone: (613) 831-7122
info@colefuneralservices.com

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