Folsom Funeral Service

O’Brien, Joseph W. “Joe”

Joseph W. “Joe” O’Brien, a 25 year resident of Norwood, and formerly of Dedham, died suddenly Monday, January 21, 2013.  He was 58 years old.  Joe was born in Boston and grew up in Dedham. He was the son of the late Walter E. “Doc” O’Brien and Anna M. (LaVita) O’Brien.  Joe was passionate about coming from East Dedham, and was the chairman of the Old Mill Reunion for many years. He was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Dedham,  and the Elks Lodge of Norwood.  Joe was a former Assistant Manager at Home Depot in Norwood.  He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Mary B.  (O”Loughlin) O’Brien of Norwood;  his daughters, Keri  B. O’Brien of Norwood and Jamie A.  O’Brien of Norwood.  He is also survived by his brother Richard O’Brien of Norton and his uncle James LaVita of Dennis, as well as many cousins and friends. Joseph was the brother of the late Carol Civatarese.  Visiting hours will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013 from 1:30 – 5:30 pm at the Folsom Funeral Home, 87 Milton St., Dedham.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers donations in Joe’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA. 02241

Guestbook Entries

  1. Karen
    January 24th, 2013 | 7:07 pm

    Mary, Keri, Jamie and Ricky … I’m so sorry for your loss. I am still in shock over this whole thing, hoping its one of Joey’s usual pranks. My heart is broken … I will always keep close to my heart all the memories and fun times we had together. God Bless and rest in peace cuz!

  2. January 24th, 2013 | 7:38 pm

    My deepest sympathy.To the whole family Joe was a good friend classmate .FB Buddy he and his craziness will be truley missed all our love Helen &JACK SMOLAK

  3. January 24th, 2013 | 7:40 pm

    OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TOO MARY AND THE WHOLE FAMILY

  4. Robert Kempt
    January 24th, 2013 | 7:41 pm

    Truly sorry ,he made so many people happy. Loved life , the pool and people. My prayers and never be forgot.

  5. jeanne (gypsydancer)
    January 24th, 2013 | 7:48 pm

    I didn’t know you well Joe, but what I did know of you, you were a sweetheart and welcoming with open arms. You always made me feel comfortable and always funny. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. You will be missed by all.

  6. Mary Smith
    January 24th, 2013 | 8:42 pm

    Mary,Keri and Jamie…I am so sorry for your loss, you are all in my prayers. if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Love Mary and Peewee

  7. Matthew Tobin
    January 24th, 2013 | 10:25 pm

    Sorry for your loss,Joe was one of a kind.

  8. Diane (Clark) Pittman
    January 25th, 2013 | 9:53 am

    To The O’Brien Family, On behalf of the Clark Family our sincere condolences to you all. All of our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time. His memory will live on in so many ways & in so many lives he has touched throughout the years. May you all be comforted that he is now in the arms of the angels up above. God Bless You All.
    Love & Prayers,
    ~ Diane ~

  9. Alice O'Brien
    January 25th, 2013 | 10:31 am

    Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Joe. As you grieve know that there are so many of us that are remembering you and your girls and honoring the memory of Joe.

  10. Geri Chambers
    January 25th, 2013 | 12:09 pm

    I can’t tell you how sorry and sad I am that you lost your Joe. I was one of his Facebook friends from Riverdale and I so enjoyed his comments. There are so many of us that will miss him and I will always remember him for his kind words when my husband passed this July. God bless you all and Joe.

  11. Lili Foley
    January 25th, 2013 | 6:36 pm

    My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Mary, Keri, Jamie and the entire O’Brien family. There are no words to describe how much Joe will be missed. He made such a huge impression on so many of us. I enjoyed every minute of the many years I worked with him. He was always making me laugh. His sense of humor knew no bounds. May you all find some comfort in knowing how much he was loved.

  12. Denise
    January 25th, 2013 | 8:36 pm

    Sincere sympathy to the entire family. May you be comforted in prayer and the knowldege that you have a loving family and many friends to support you.

  13. Joe LaVita
    January 25th, 2013 | 8:40 pm

    Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of Joe, a husband, father, cousin, friend, family historian, storyteller, and keeper of the East Dedham flame. He will be missed by many but never forgotten by our family. We will always remember his sense of humor and jokes and his memories of our wild, crazy, and wacky family along with his never ending stories of the East Dedham of our youth that always seemed so much grander when described by Joe in his stories.

  14. Mary Ann Murphy
    January 25th, 2013 | 8:55 pm

    My deepest sympathy to all of the O’Brien and Lavita families. Such a sudden and tragic loss. I know what a funny and caring man he was. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
    Mary Ann Murphy
    (Uncle Jim’s friend)

  15. SUE COLE ( Brickley)
    January 25th, 2013 | 9:25 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with the O’Brien Family.I went to school with joe.He always made people laugh he will be missed alot.
    Sue Cole Brickley
    and family

  16. January 26th, 2013 | 7:46 am

    Mary, Keri, and Jamie-I am so sad for you. Joey was a spectacular person. He always put everyone before himself. He loved you all so much. Family meant everything to him. I will miss him terribly but know that he is in heaven having a party with those that have gone before him. He will be with you always in your hearts. I know he does not want us to be sad, and that will lessen with time. For now, know that he is watching over his family and friends. He is our Guardian Barbie, errr- Guardian Angel. Peace and Love.
    Mary O’Brien Zablowski

  17. Carol O'Brien
    January 26th, 2013 | 9:49 am

    My heartfelt prayers and condolances go out to Mary, Keri and Jamie. Joe was a fixture around East Dedham and he was well liked and loved, we will miss him dearly.
    Carol O’Brien

  18. Michael O'Brien
    January 26th, 2013 | 9:57 am

    Mary, Keri, Jamie and extended family I send my love and prayers along with Joe So that when he gets to heaven he knows I will miss him and also maybe he’ll say hi to Doc and my Dad. As for The family, I wish I could be there for you but know that I send my deepest sympathies and prayers for you and know that Joe was a good man and I will miss him as will all that knew him and East Dedham will forever be changed…
    Michael O’Brien

  19. AnneFiedler (MacEachern)
    January 26th, 2013 | 2:39 pm

    My condolences to the O’Brien and LaVita families. I grew up on Emmett Ave and have fond memories of Joe and his family. I will miss his FB updates and East Dedham history posts. He was a good person with a kind heart. God Bless you and your loved ones.

  20. Carol
    January 26th, 2013 | 3:20 pm

    My deepest sympathy to the family.Joe will surelly be missed.

  21. John O'Mara
    January 26th, 2013 | 10:12 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Johnny O’Mara and family

  22. Sue LaVita Truax
    January 29th, 2013 | 1:48 am

    Mary, Keri and Jaymie..my heart goes out to you cause I know what you are going through. Remember the happy times with Joe and know that he loved you all dearly.
    Ricky and Diane, my heart aches so bad for you. You, too, remember the happy times, the parties, camping trips, etc. and mostly remember that your brother finally knows how to fold a paper bag.
    Love all you guys

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