Bridgeport Post -- Tuesday; March 12, 1957

J. P. O'BRIEN DIES; SPORTS FIGURE

Services for John Patrick O'Brien, 72, of 431 Lafayette street, a baseball umpire in Bridgeport Industrial and Twilight leagues many years, who died yesterday afternoon in his home, will take place Thursday.

They will be conducted at 8:30 a.m. in the Lieberum and Heaphy funeral home, 866 Lafayette street, and at 9 o'clock in Sacred Heart church with a solemn high Mass of requiem. Burial will be in St. Michael's cemetery.

Mr. O'Brien, better known as Jack O'Brien, started playing baseball in Bridgeport in 1908, starring with such teams as the Newfields, the Brooksides, and the Westerns. He was an active player until 1915 when he gave up the semi-professional teams for umpiring in the Industrial, Junior City, Manufacturers' Twilight, and Senior circuits.

In addition he gave many of his afternoons to umpiring area high school contests, taking time off from work to do so, and umpired for some professional contests in the area in an era when major league stars such as Babe Ruth would join the local rosters for extra money.

Born in Fall River, Mass., Feb. 10, 1885, Mr. O'Brien began working at 11 in the cotton mills there. He joined the Army four years later and was assigned as a member of the mortar unit attached to the Coast Artillery Division stationed at Fortress Monroe, Va.

Mr. O'Brien was discharged in 1906 after six years of service and moved to Danbury where he learned his trade as a metal caster at the Rogers Silver company. He married the former Margaret Warburton there in 1916 (sic) and it was in Danbury where his son Jack, later to be a reporter for the Bridgeport Post and a member of the U.S. Diplomatic service, was born. Jack O'Brien now is an associate editor of Newsweek magazine.

After two years in Danbury, Mr. O'Brien came to Bridgeport in 1908 and had resided here since. He was employed 32 years by the Weidlich Manufacturing company until the start of World War II. At that time he took up war work at the Underwood corporation.

In 1954 he married the former Mary McGarrigle who survives him.

From 1943 until his retirement in 1953, Mr. O'Brien was employed as a bartender at Jimmy Lavery's tavern on Fairfield avenue. He retired from umpiring baseball games in 1928 after 18 years of calling games during his spare time.

He was a member of the Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart church and the council of Catholic Men.

In addition to his wife and son, Mr. O'Brien is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mary Bond, of Fall River, Mass.; two brothers, Michael O'Brien of Stratford, and William O'Brien, of Fall River, Mass; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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Bridgeport Post -- Friday, March 15, 1957

JOHN P. O'BRIEN

Services for John Patrick O'Brien, 72, of 431 Lafayette Street, who died Monday, took place yesterday in Sacred Heart church with a solemn high Mass of requiem. Burial was in St. Michael's cemetery.

The Rev. Frances J. Shugrue was celebrant, assisted by the Rev. William F. Galvin, deacon, and the Rev. Edward J. McCall, sub-deacon. Committal prayers were read by Father McCall.

Bearers were Henry Skott, John Fitzsimmons, Joseph Stanczyk, and John, David and Peter O'Brien.
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