Obituary of George P. O'Brien

George P. O’Brien

1938-2023

George P. O’Brien, 85, of Dover passed peacefully at Excelcare of Dover on Saturday morning, December 9, 2023 after an illness of several years. 

The second child of Helen and William P. O’Brien, George was born in 1938 and grew up in South Dover as a member of the Thompson Hill Boys. He graduated from Dover High School in 1956.

After proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force for six years in Morocco, Libya, and finally in Youngstown, Ohio, George began a long career as a federal employee at Picatinny Arsenal. Upon retirement in 2003, he embarked upon a second career in private industry as a consultant in the defense sector.

A former member of the Dover First Aid Squad, Dover Fire Department (Engine Co. #2), and the National Ski Patrol, George was a lifelong outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, tying flies, hunting, golfing, and relaxing at his cabin in the Catskills with friends and family. He was also a member of Acacia Lodge #20 of Free & Accepted Masons of Dover, NJ for the past 61 years, after having been raised at North Star Lodge #255 in Wharton, NJ prior to the merging of the two lodges.

He is survived by his wife Shirley L. O’Brien and son Christopher S. O’Brien in addition to brother William E. O’Brien, brother John J. O’Brien (Elaine), sister Ruth Ann Standridge (the late James), sister-in-law Jacklyn Gilbert (Gary Bixler), and many nieces and nephews.

An animal lover who is now reunited with his beloved dogs, George is also survived by his cherished poodle Mimi, who he rescued from a cage at Christmas thirteen years ago. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Eleventh Hour Rescue: https://www.ehrdogs.org/info/donate

All arrangements are private by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com)