James O'Brien dies?

A Message from the Blogger:

A lot of people who googled my name this week have been writing me and my family thinking I died. I assure you I'm alive and well, and although my name is often associated with the word humor on the internet, this James O'Brien is not me. It appears that the O'Brien name, though does carry a certain culture weight in the realms of humor. Google is an authority on such connections and the evidence is here in this link. Please there is no cause for any more alarm. I am still alive, and MY humor is still JUST as contagious as THIS James O'Brien who is dead now.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090426/NEWS08/904260692?imw=Y

James O'Brien dies; his good humor was contagious

Starting others off on the right course -- both mentally and directionally -- was all in a day's work for James O'Brien.



A retired General Motors Corp. employee who worked as a starter at the Pine Trace Golf Club in Rochester Hills for the past decade, Mr. O'Brien was known by many for a sunny disposition that often proved contagious to those around him.

A Troy resident and veteran of World War II, Mr. O'Brien died Wednesday at Beaumont Hospital in Troy of cardiac arrest after complications from surgery. He was 83.

"He had the most amazing outlook on life and touched so many people's lives in a positive way," said his son, Kevin O'Brien. "You could be experiencing the worst possible day of your life until you ran into him, and after one of his inspiring pep talks, your whole attitude had changed for the better."

Born in Chicago, he graduated from Birmingham High School and served with the Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific theater of operations.

After the war, he went to work as a Lifesaver candy salesman. He married Elaine Cross in 1949.

His career with GM Fisher Body began in 1951. He spent his entire career as a production analyst, responsible for overseeing various aspects of assembly-line operations for the company until his retirement in 1986.

A health and fitness buff, Mr. O'Brien's daily routine included weight lifting and calisthenics, as well as walking 5 miles each day with his wife. The couple also enjoyed ballroom dancing.

Beside his wife and son, survivors include daughter Maureen Windel; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, and a brother.

Visitation is from 2 to 8 p.m. today at A. J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks, Troy, with a scripture service at 7 p.m.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Hugo of the Hills Church, 2215 Opdyke, Bloomfield Hills. Visitation will precede the service at 9:30 a.m.

The body is to be cremated.

Contact JOE ROSSITER: 313-222-6594 or jrossiter@freepress.com