Raimund Francis O'Brien

Raimund Francis O'Brien September 18, 1923 - June 11, 2009 Raimund F. "Ray" O'Brien, Jr., age 85, of St. Augustine, and formerly of Smithville in Galloway, N.J., died on June 11, 2009 at Moultrie Creek Nursing & Rehab Center in St. Augustine. Ray was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts on Sept 23, 1923. He was the only child of Raimund Sr. and Gladys Bowman O'Brien. Ray was very proud of his hometown where he grew up. He graduated from New Bedford High School and was accepted to MIT when he was sixteen, where he studied Chemical Engineering. Ray also was in ROTC at MIT and after three years of study he enlisted in the Army Signal Corp. He served as a 1st Lieutenant doing in-coding and de-coding of enemy messages. He was stationed in Leyte, Guam and Okinowa during WW II, and was then stationed in Tokyo at General McArthur's Headquarters for his last year doing intelligence work. He was honorably discharged after three and a half years and joined the Reserve Corps. He returned to MIT to finish his education, graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering. Most of Ray's career was spent with Foster Wheeler Energy Corp., and worked for them for 19 years. During the last ten years of Ray's position he was made East Coast and Canadian Sales Manager and was instrumental in securing over $1 billion in company contracts to build refinery expansions and chemical plants. He was well liked and had many friends. He enjoyed being with people and he especially enjoyed working in Canada. He retired in 1985 from FW and worked as a consultant for Direct Gas Supply for 2 years with his son John. Ray's early career started with Ruberoid Roofing and Siding (now GAF) in New Jersey, Chevron Oil in New Jersey and Kansas and Universal Oil Products in NYC. During Ray's lifetime he was affiliated with many organizations, namely, Columbian Squires, The Knight's of Columbus (a lifetime member), the MIT Club, The Alumni Association, The Chemical Engineers Society, Professional Engineers Society, and the Rotary Club of Bergen County, NJ. He also was involved in Little League and was active with children and teens. He taught our children and their friends many sports, and encouraged their participation in baseball, football, tennis and skiing. After retiring in Smithville, in Galloway, NJ in 1988, he and his wife joined the VIP Club, a senior group of retirees. He made many close and dear friends during that 21 years. Ray often said "Smithville is a great little place to live." Ray leaves his beloved wife, Evelyn, to whom he was married in June of 1949. He also leaves his "fine sons", of whom he was very proud: John Nicholas III, (Patricia), Raimund Francis III (Lory), Patrick James, Thomas Bolton, Michael David (Deborah), and Robert Edward. He leaves his only, and dear daughter, who was the apple of his eye, Mary Elizabeth (Frank), and six grandchildren. Katelyn O'Brien, John Nickolas O'Brien, Jessica Chrapliwy, Patrick Chrapliwy, Raianne O'Brien, and Tommy O'Brien. Also one great grand child, Charlie O'Brien, and three step grandchildren, Jonathan, Jared and Jessica Young. Ray also leaves his cousins in Massachusetts, Ann Touhey, Rosemary Lucus and Richard Porter, all of New Bedford. Funeral services with military honors will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at St. Johns Family Funeral with a Vigil service beginning at 5 p.m. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.