On June 2, 2017 William Joseph O’Brien (75), surrounded by his family, passed peacefully.

The story of William began on July 8, 1941 as the second son of Norton and Mary Kelly O’Brien.  Bill or Billy, as most of his friends called him, grew up on Bentham Road and was a member of St. Peter’s Parish in Dorchester.  Bill and his brother Neil grew up playing baseball at Ronan Park as part of the Holy Child Baseball League which their father ran.

Bill attended Christopher Columbus High School in the North End of Boston where he was a member of the baseball team and graduating class of 1959.  From there, he went on to earn a degree from Bentley College and then on to Williams College of Banking.  Bill began his working career as a state bank examiner and remained in banking for his entire working career.

On August 1, 1964 Bill married his best friend and the woman he would share the rest of his life’s journey with, Joann LaTora.  “Bill & Joann” was a phrase that became forever locked at that point.  They started their life together in Braintree, MA welcoming 3 children, William Jr., Diane, and Timothy.   They then moved to Quincy where they had their 4^th, Mark.

Bill had a passion for baseball, playing for the Boston Park League at Town Field and coaching Quincy Youth Baseball.  Bill also enjoyed being involved in the community and service; he was a Knight of Columbus and a Knight of Malta, he was recognized with the prestigious Lion of Judah award and, most notably, he was the former Captain Commander of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of the Massachusetts.  But Bill greatest love was his expanding family.

Bill and Joann watched their children grow, marry and have children of their own.  Bill Jr. married Christine Mulvey (of Quincy), Diane married Eric Brooks (of Richmond, NH), Tim married Lesley Bolick (of Framingham) and Mark married Jennifer Mercadante (of Medfield).  What happened next was a small population explosion of 14 grandchildren.  The proud grandparents welcomed (in order): Devin O’Brien, Jared Brooks, William O’Brien III, Ryan Brooks, Kelly O’Brien, Dennis Brooks, Mark O’Brien Jr, Erin O’Brien, Sean O’Brien, Lily O’Brien, Jason Brooks, Christopher O’Brien, Rebecca Brooks and Kevin O’Brien.  Bill loved being surrounded by his children and grandchildren, whether in Quincy or at their cottage in Humarock walking on the beach or enjoying a cookout.  Bill also loved the holidays, especially Christmas and the 4^th of July where his brother Neil, brother-in-law John LaTora and his wife Nancy, and his only niece, Maria Santiago and her husband PJ would join his kids and grandkids celebrating.

Please join us in continuing the celebration of a life well lived…  Visiting hours at Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Tuesday 4-8 p.m.  There will be a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, East Milton, Wednesday, June 7 at 11 o’clock. Interment Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.

If desired contributions in Bill’s memory may be sent to either Lung Transplant Fund  c/o Brigham & Women’s Hospital Development Office, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115  or  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105