A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 30 in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, for Deacon Christopher D. O’Brien who died Nov. 22 from injuries he sustained in an auto accident. He was 81.
Deacon O’Brien was born in Bronx, N.Y. and grew up in Keansburg. He and his wife, Eileen, raised their family in Hazlet before moving to Whiting in 2005.
Prior to his retirement Deacon O’Brien was the district manager for Bob Kislin’s Sporting Goods. He was a United States Marine Corps Veteran and was ordained a deacon for the Diocese in 1984 by Bishop John C. Reiss. As a deacon, he served in St. Joseph Parish, Keyport, which is now part of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Keyport, for many years, before joining St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. His diaconate duties included celebrating Baptisms and presiding over weddings. He also did missionary work in Haiti and Jamaica and was an active moderator with the CYO while serving in Keyport.
Deacon O’Brien was predeceased by his parents, Christopher and Elizabeth (Barkey) O’Brien; his wife, Eileen, who died in 2017, and two siblings. He sis survived by two daughters and a son and their spouses; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two siblings and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Burial of ashes will be placed in All Saints Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deborah Heart and Lung, https://www.deborahfoundation.org/ways-to-give/ or the food pantry at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 30 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting, N.J. 08759.