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Last Updated  12/15/2024

 

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John "Jack" Alexander O’Brien

May 16, 1938 – December 12, 2024

Jack O’Brien, a proud Irish American, dedicated community member, loving family man, and military veteran, passed away on December 12, 2024, at his longtime home in Upper Marlboro, MD. He was 86 years old.

Born in Washington, DC, on May 16, 1938, to Thomas and Anne O’Brien, who immigrated from Ireland in the 1930s, Jack was deeply proud of his heritage and carried the values of hard work, devotion, and community service throughout his life. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Regina Cord O’Brien, and their son, Stephen Cord O’Brien. He is survived by his devoted son, Timothy Casey O’Brien, and his three cherished grandchildren, Casey, Alexander, and Zachary O’Brien. Jack was also the dear brother of Michael O’Brien, the late Thomas Joseph O’Brien, and Kathleen Wood, and a loving brother-in-law to Eleanor Coene, Ann O’Brien, Marilyn O’Brien, and Thomas Wood. He was a steadfast supporter and mentor to numerous other family members and friends, offering wisdom and guidance whenever it was needed.

Jack’s education was grounded in Washington, DC, where he attended St. Martin’s Grade School and graduated from McKinley Tech High School. After completing his education, Jack proudly served in the Army National Guard, where he demonstrated the same sense of duty and dedication that would mark the rest of his life. His military service was a source of pride, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to his country and community.

Following his time in the National Guard, Jack began a successful career at the Government Printing Office and served as a Union official for over 38 years. His career was a testament to his work ethic, dedication, and commitment to supporting his fellow workers.

Jack was deeply involved in the Irish American community and made significant contributions to preserving and honoring Irish culture and history. He was a devoted member of several Irish American organizations, most notably the Ancient Order of Hibernians, where he served as a National Life Member, as well as being a member of the Irish American Unity Conference and the Irish American Club. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to Irish heritage, Jack was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Washington, DC, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, a distinction he cherished deeply.

Jack’s leadership and political acumen were instrumental in numerous projects aimed at maintaining and celebrating Irish heritage. Among his many contributions, he was proud to have curated the Irish Brigade Monument at Antietam National Battlefield. His work on the monument, dedicated to the brave Irish soldiers who fought in the Civil War, was a labor of love, ensuring that the legacy of the Irish Brigade and their sacrifices would not be forgotten. He was also a driving force behind the creation and preservation of several other Irish monuments in the Washington, DC, area. One of his most notable projects was the Commodore John Barry Memorial at the Naval entrance gate in Annapolis, MD. More recently, Jack worked to help rededicate the Nuns of the Battlefield Monument wayside marker outside St. Matthew's Cathedral in DC, which honors the courage and sacrifice of Irish American nuns who served during the Civil War.

Throughout his life, Jack was a passionate advocate for a united Ireland and for keeping Irish history alive for future generations.

Jack and Regina’s lives were profoundly shaped by the loss of their beloved son, Stephen Cord O’Brien. The grief they experienced from his passing was a heavy burden, but Jack’s strength and unwavering support for Regina during this difficult time reflected his deep love and commitment to his family. Although the loss of Stephen left an irreplaceable void, Jack and Regina found comfort and joy in their enduring relationship with Pam, and their cherished grandsons, Alexander, and Zachary. The love they shared with Pam and the grandsons brought light into their lives during the darkest of times.

Jack was not only a pillar of strength in the community, but also a deeply devoted husband. In the final years of his wife Regina’s life, Jack became her unwavering caregiver, providing her with love, compassion, and comfort during her illness. His dedication to Regina, as well as his ability to balance his personal responsibilities with grace and tenderness, exemplified the depth of his character. The way Jack cared for Regina, especially in her final days, was a testament to the enduring love they shared.

Above all, Jack was known for his warmth, generosity, and the unwavering love he had for his family. His strength, wisdom, and sense of humor left a lasting impact on all who knew him. He will be remembered not only for his dedication to Irish American affairs but also for his role as a loving father, grandfather, and brother.

May Jack O’Brien’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

Memorial Services: 

The family will receive friends for memorial viewings on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Beall Funeral Home, located at 6512 NW Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD 20715.

A Catholic Mass will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Ascension Catholic Church, located at 12700 Lanham Severn Rd, Bowie, MD 20720. Followed by a Celebration of Life that will be held at the Knights of Columbus located at 9450 Cherry Hill Road, College Park, MD 20740.

The family will join for a burial at Charles Memorial Gardens on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, contributions for the John Barry Division AOH Charitable Fund may be sent to: 

c/o Ryan P. Mulvey, Executive Secretary 4103 Sheridan Street University Park, MD 20782

For more information, or to donate electronically, please contact johnbarryfund@gmail.comTo order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John "Jack" Alexander O'Brien, please visit our flower store.Make a donation to JOHN BARRY DIVISION AOH CHARITABLE FUND in memory of John "Jack" Alexander O'Brien

“The Rare Ould Times” From The Irish People newspaper, Feb. 9, 1991

 By the late Joe Stynes

It was the year 1922, and the IRA was split in two. The Company I belonged to, C Company of the 2nd Battalion, had several of its members go over to the Free State Army. Several became neutral, and the rest remained in the IRA, loyal to their oath of allegiance to defend the Republic against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The IRA had taken over the Four Courts when they established their headquarters.

On June 27,1922, C Company of the 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, meeting at 42 North Great George's Street, were ordered to remain for the night. Next morning, on orders from Lloyd George, Prime Minister of England, the Free State Army with British cannon attacked the Four Courts and the fight was on between the Free State and the IRA. The 2nd Battalion took over O'Connell Street and Parnell Street.

 Our Company C was assigned to Healy's Public House in Parnell Street, where we set up barricades inside and outside the building. Before we left 42 N. Great George's Street, I cycled home to get two Lee-Enfield rifles. Our equipment was very poor; we had only five or six rifles, seven revolvers and one machine gun. The first night we were attacked by the Domestic Enemy with two armored cars. We withstood the attack, but not before they had blown away the barricade on one of the windows. We began boring holes in the walls connecting the building. When there was sufficient opening, I went into the next house, and crouched up in the corner was a young woman and her children. I assumed nothing would happen and brought her food and milk. She was so grateful she gave me a piece of caul (it's something that comes with the birth of a baby) and told me it would keep me safe. I still have it.. --- continue

 

Saoirse Newspaper

Saoirse – Irish Freedom is the voice of the Irish Republican Movement. The monthly newspaper of the Republican Movement, it takes its name from Irish Freedom – Saoirse, a Fenian paper which first appeared in November 1910 and continued as a monthly publication until December 1914 when it was suppressed by the British authorities. Among the contributors to that paper were Bulmer Hobson, PS Hegerty, Terence McSwiney, Pádraig Pearse, Ernest Blythe, Piaras Beaslaí, Pat Devlin, Fred Cogley, JW Good and Roger Casement.

Irish Republicans have always attempted to produce a newspaper, as a means of speaking to the people. As revolutionaries we have had to rely on our own resources to counter-act the status quo message promoted by the Establishment media.

More than 200 years ago, on January 4, 1792, the first number of the Northern Star appeared. The paper, produced by the Belfast Society of United Irishmen, promoted unity among Irish people of all religions. It was a popular target for the opponents of Irish unity and freedom. The proprietors of the Northern Star and its printer, John Rabb, were charged with sedition in January, 1793. Its offices were again raided on September 16, 1796 in a general clamp-down on the United Irishmen in Belfast. The presses of the Northern Star were smashed by a pro-British militia on May 19, 1797.

A new paper, The Press, appeared on September 28, 1797.

In a short article in the first issue of The Republic, on December 13, 1906, produced by the Dungannon Clubs, Bulmer Hobson wrote:

Ireland today claims her place among the free peoples of the earth. She has never surrendered that claim, nor will ever surrender it; and today forces are working in Ireland that will not be still until her claim is acknowledged and her voice heard in the councils of the nations.

To that end The Republic has been started. It has not been brought into existence to make a party among the political parties of Ireland, nor to carry on a party propaganda nor to waste time quarreling with any political party. It has been started to gather together all that is best and greatest, most progressive and far-seeing in Ireland round the Republican banner and to build up, not a Republican party, but an independent Irish Republic.

We stand for an Irish Republic because we see that no compromise with England, no repeal of the Union, no concession of Home Rule or Devolution will satisfy the national aspiration of the Irish people nor allow the unrestricted mental, moral and material development of our country. National independence is our right; we ask no more and we will accept no less.

An independent Irish Republic, then, is our aim – governed by the whole people of Ireland in the interests of the whole people, without let or hindrance, supervision or interference on the part of any other power under heaven. We owe allegiance to no country save Ireland, and we will yield none to any other.

The old hate and the old bigotry that have kept Catholic and Protestant divided – the old grovelling spirit of Toadyism must be killed and forgotten by the people. The ineffective and outward political movements, Unionist and Nationalist, must be superseded and silenced and, in their place, a national movement, virile and militant, that recognises no creed save that of Irishman, and no party save the nation, must be established.