Eternal rest grant unto him, O lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. may the souls of all the faithfully departed, Through the mercy of god, Rest in Peace
John O’Brien Photo by Bob Krulik
John Francis O’Brien (October 21, 1933 – February 10, 2026)
Eulogy:
My family and I would like to thank you all for coming today, and for your care and friendship in this time of hurt and challenge. Not just recently, but over our lifetimes, and our parent’s lifetime too. Your friendship, being present – we could not be more blessed to have you in our lives.
My Dad was born in Kiltoom, near the town of Athlone in Co. Roscommon. Yes, surprisingly, not Mayo.
How did he get here? He told me he was working in a shop, when he saw one of his friends running by. He called out, where are you off to?
“A boat for Canada,” the friend replied. So off he went, eventually.
He emigrated to Montreal, where he met my mom, Eileen Maguire, surprisingly, at an Irish dance.
Dad liked Cleveland when he visited, while playing Irish Football for Montreal. After a few years, he was asked by the North American Board if he would help a struggling Cleveland team to right the ship. The great Henry Cavaugh walked dad through a few details while they were sitting in Henry’s police cruiser one day. Dad and mom were visiting Cleveland on their honeymoon.
Dad decided to move to the States in 1963, with Eileen and daughters, Noreen and Cathy. My sister Patricia and I were born in Cleveland.
Dad was a founding member of the North American Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association, the governing/organizing body for the United States. I imagine he, Tom O’Donaghue and Chris Murray are having quite the laugh right about now.
In 1975 he founded the Winterhurst Broomhockey League (a favorite outdoor sport in Canada). Many of you out there have the scarred knees and lifelong friendships from the games each winter weekend.
I imagine you’ve read his obit, so I won’t continue to cover that novel here (yes, I hear you breathing a sigh of relief). I smile to think of all the organizations and people he touched as he went about his day.
Have you ever heard him sing Coca Cabana? Stunned all the O’Brien’s at one gathering – not at the voice, we knew its beauty, but at the choice of the song. He and mom could give a few of those Dance with the Stars shows a run for their money. He taught my sisters to dance as well. I got the rhythm.
Our memories often center around the lessons we learned from him and mom, as kids, sometimes while volunteering at the WSIA down on 93rd, and in Olmsted Twp., the festival, or in advice given for the many jobs we had – delivering the newspaper, working at Corrigan Ice, cashier at Pick-n-Pay or sometimes, it was just an experience too good for dad to pass up or not pass on.
I think of the mostly unintended lessons he passed on to us and even more so, to the grandkids. Perhaps unintended is the wrong word … helping others was ingrained in him. It was given by example more often than by word. I don’t think he had to think about it, to do it.
He liked living a little bit dangerously in doing so – loading us all in the back of the EO Gas vans to “Go for a drive;” there were no seats in the back of the van; getting pulled over on Lorain Avenue with Declan behind the wheel as dad taught him how to drive, Declan was 11.
For a while a few of the grandkids called dad the Pope. Some think he would have made a good president, so I don’t know if that is a step up, or a step down. Most of you here saw how the festival helped build an incredibly strong bond between his grandkids – after all, they seem to be everywhere on the grounds. The kids know that most families don’t have that bond the fest created for them.
Have you seen the nine or so wild, mostly black cats at the WSIA? He loved animals, making trips out to the WSIA just to feed the cats. The cats knew the sound of his pickup and from every direction would surge toward the truck when he arrived. Food!
Perhaps an example or two can better illustrate the (somewhat) subtle humor: In the summer, my oldest sister Noreen (may she rest in peace), placed her bed beneath the 2nd floor window at our house, hoping for just a breath of a breeze – there were no screens, no AC. I would be at the end of the drive, loading the Plain Dealer newspaper into carrier bags for delivery.
Dad, just back from his run as he trained for another marathon, would pull the hose out onto the front lawn, crank the spout open fully, and aim the jet right through the open 2nd floor window, where my poor auld sister was about to scream, “DAAAD.” I would laugh and laugh.
With three older sisters (Lotta Damage, Lotta Therapy, let me tell ya), Dad felt they used Way too much hot water in the morning. He would go down to the basement, turn off the hot water, and wait for that same, “DAAAD …” and the girls would rush outa the bathroom. Then I would get up, catch a quick shower myself and head out to St. Mel’s or St. Ignatius, on time.
Dad retired after many years with the United Transportation Union (railroad). After a few more years, he and Mom left West Park and settled in the Fairview Park neighborhood of Cleveland. Many grand and great grandchildren, the 3rd generation to be involved in Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, share their grandparent’s great love of our rich Irish culture. Our love was forged through their love, and humor.
As kids (I was 16 at the 1st Festival – “Johnny, we’re starting a festival, you’re doing the parking.”), we had such a tremendously blessed upbringing, geared toward doing things for others, entertaining, educating, funding, bringing to life and passing on our rich Irish heritage, so that they could do the same. At the end of the day, that is what dad lived for, for others.
Safe home Dad, may the angels lead you into paradise.
Obituary
JOHN F. O’BRIEN, age 92, native of Athlone, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, beloved husband of 65 years to Eileen (nee Maguire); loving father of Noreen Beardmore (deceased) (Mike), Catherine O’Brien (John Lang), Patricia Parente (Phillip) and John F. O’Brien, Jr.; proud Papa of his 17 “eejits” and great-Papa of his 15 “eejits”; brother of Hubert (deceased), Mae Cody (deceased), Ann O’Farrell and Maeve McCreary, all of Ireland; beloved uncle, great-uncle and dear friend of many. Passed away unexpectedly February 10, 2026.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Noreen O’Brien Beardmore Scholarship at Saint Joseph Academy, 3470 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland, OH 44111 or St. Augustine Manor, 7801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102.
John F. O’Brien Sr., 92 A Beloved Irish Soul and Pillar of Cleveland’s Irish Community October 21, 1933 – February 10, 2026
John F. O’Brien Sr., a son of County Roscommon whose life became woven into the heart of Cleveland’s Irish community, passed away on February 10, 2026, at the age of 92. A native of Athlone, Ireland, John embodied the best of the Irish country spirit; humble and hearty to the end. If one thing is certain, it’s that he would have hated the fuss of this whole funeral thing.
Born on October 21, 1933, John was raised on a farm alongside his siblings Hubert, Mae, Ann, and Meave. He preferred sport to school and excelled on the handball court and football field, winning the 1951 Minor All-Ireland title with Roscommon GAA. Athletics would remain a lifelong passion and defining pillar of his character.
John emigrated to Montreal, where he met his beloved wife, Eileen (née Maguire). There he continued playing hurling and football and quickly assumed leadership roles within the Gaelic Athletic Association. After honeymooning in Niagra Falls and Cleveland, they fell in love with its Irish community. John and Eileen made it their permanent home, raising their children Noreen, Cathy, Patricia, and John Jr.
In Cleveland, John became a foundational figure in both sport and culture. He served as secretary of the North American County Board and helped St. Pat’s capture four senior football championships in the 60’s. Over decades of service within the Gaelic Athletic Association in North America, including as USGAA Secretary and later honorary chairman, he was widely respected for his tireless dedication and quiet efficiency. Later he could often be found along the sidelines of matches — sometimes on his golf cart, one eyebrow raised — watching with the pride of a seasoned player.
His love of sport extended beyond Gaelic games. In 1975, he founded the Winterhurst Broomhockey League, which grew to more than 40 teams. He served as player, referee, coach, and chairman, and continued running marathons well into his sixties; a testament to his belief that a healthy body was a gift meant to be used and cherished.
John worked professionally as an auditor for the United Transportation Union until retirement, but his true vocation was building community. His involvement with the West Side Irish American Club spanned decades, from its Madison Avenue location through its move to Olmsted Twp. Serving as president for 28 years, he never asked anyone to do a job he wouldn’t do himself. Even when recognition was due, he deflected it toward others, refusing countless honors and awards over the years. Those who knew him best understood: leadership, for John, meant service.
In the 1980s, John helped launch what would become the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival, which grew to one of the premier Irish cultural celebrations in the United States. What began as a modest gathering blossomed under his steady direction into a festival drawing tens of thousands and raising significant funds for charitable causes. He loved Irish music deeply and worked tirelessly to support both local and native Irish musicians. For John, preserving Irish culture was never about “green beer”… it was about offering an authentic Irish experience.
Yet what set John apart was not his titles or accomplishments, but his character. He was a man of deep and quiet faith. He blessed himself whenever he passed a church, acknowledging Christ’s presence. He prayed the Rosary with his children, encouraged trust and gratitude in times of trial, and attended daily Mass in retirement. He faithfully transported residents of St. Augustine Manor to Mass. His outlook was always “onwards” — in good times and bad — with little tolerance for excuses or self-pity. Many mornings began with his cheerful command: “Get up! It’s 7:00 am! Sure, the day’s half over!”
John loved being part of an Irish community, but he showed his family that Irish identity was about far more than the drink. A lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association for more than 80 years, he never took a sip of alcohol. His witness quietly taught his children and grandchildren that temperance does not get in the way of love of life and others.
Though Cleveland became home, his heart never left his siblings in Ireland. He delighted in family life, especially as Papa, often with playful mischief, waking children with a harmonica blast or a splash of ice water on the feet. He fed a loyal herd of WSIA cats. He wore well-worn clothes without a hint of self-consciousness. He was unpolished, unpretentious, and utterly genuine.
His legacy lives on: along Cuyahoga’s Irish Bend in the 150th Commemoration of Greater Cleveland An Gorta Mor (The Great Hunger) Memorial, in the sound of a fiddle on a festival stage, in the next generation who take the Gaelic games pitch, and in every gathering where Irish culture binds strangers into family.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Hubert and Mae; and his beloved daughter, Noreen Beardmore (Mike), whom we trust welcomed him joyfully into Heaven.
He is survived by his wife Eileen; his children, Cate O’Brien (John Lang), Patricia Parente (Phil), and John F. O’Brien, Jr. His family in Ireland including his sisters, Ann & Georgie and many loving nieces and nephews. His grandchildren Caitie Cataldo (Massimo), Tommy Beardmore (Natasha), Maura Lang, Brian Beardmore, John Beardmore (Casey), Maria Boone (Adam), Anthony Parente, Kathleen Cave (Bobby), Phillip Parente (fiancé Miranda), Will Beardmore (Kari), Jack Lang, Eileen Parente, Neil Parente, Michael Beardmore, Annie Beardmore, Declan Lang, & Caroline Beardmore, along with his 10 great grandchildren. John leaves behind a robust circle of friends and fellow Irish Americans who will forever cherish his memory. He will surely work just as hard for all of them from Heaven.
May the soul of John O’Brien rest in peace, and may his spirit continue to shape all who knew him.
***
Anne Quinn
ANNE T. QUINN (nee Lynch), age 97, native of Stradone, Co. Cavan, Ireland; beloved wife of the late Owen; loving mother of Mary Quinn, Kathy Quinn, Francis Quinn (Nancy) and Eileen Egan (Tom); proud Grandma of Bridget and Shane Quinn and Owen, Seamus, Catherine and Clare Egan; sister of Brian Lynch of Ireland, Monica Lynch of England and the late Margaret Lynch, Mary Ewart, Michael Lynch, Katie Fallon, Sue Cassidy, and Pat Lynch (all of Ireland); beloved aunt and great aunt of many.
*John is a Founder and the Publisher and Editor of iIrish; a Founder and Deputy Director of Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival for more than 35 years; an archivist, spokesman, emcee, Spoken Word presenter and author of five books, so far.
