May 15, 1947 – January 6, 2024
Glenburn – James C. O’Brien, 76, passed away quietly at home with family on January 9, 2024. James arrived in the world on May 15, 1947, at the Lying-In Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts, born to Jennie and John O’Brien.
Jim grew up in Reading, MA, and graduated from Reading High School in 1965. The following year, he joined the Army, where he served in Korea on the DMZ with the 2nd Infantry Division. After serving three years he was honorably discharged and attended UMaine in Orono. He started in engineering, then switched to the College of Business and graduated in 1973 with B.S. in business management.
While at UMaine, he met Valerie Dumas, who became his wife of 43 years. They settled in Glenburn and had two children.
James worked for the State of Maine Revenue Services for 31 years and enjoyed traveling the country as part of his job. He was an active member of the Maine State Employees Association and served as the Penobscot chapter’s treasurer for more than 15 years.
James loved toiling in the woods, using his tractor and woodworking. He made everything from the high chair, tinker toys and swing sets for his children and grandchildren to a giant cribbage board. Later in life he began carving Moai out of arborvitae logs and gifting them to family and friends. James loved his family, and was exceptionally loyal, caring and dependable. Throughout his entire life he was happiest when digging holes or otherwise playing in the dirt.
James was predeceased by his wife; father; mother; sister, Martha; and grandson, Jai. He will be dearly missed by his children, Cristin (Girish), and Sean (Kierstin); surviving grandchildren, Robert, Giselle, Aditya, Amelia and Esther; brother, Peter (Katherine), and their children, Bjarna and August; as well as neighbors and friends, especially Tim and Randy.
There will be a small family memorial in the spring.
