02/25/2021
Richard John O’Brien, 66, passed away peacefully at The Cleveland Clinic, surrounded by his loved ones, Tuesday morning, Feb. 23, 2021, after a two-month battle with cancer.
He was born March 26, 1954, in Youngstown.
He married his wife, Susan Mayo O’Brien, on Aug. 18, 1979. Together, they raised their daughter, Jillian, and two sons, Richie and Patrick in Boardman.
Rich was a Navy and Vietnam veteran (1973-1977) and a 1982 graduate of Youngstown State University. He began his career as a crane operator at U.S. Steel and for the past 40 years had been a broker / partner of Mayo and Associates Realtors. During Rich’s real estate career, he was consistently recognized by the Ohio Association of Realtors for his outstanding performance — assisting many local families in achieving their dream of home ownership. Always intrigued by the latest in technology, Rich was the first local Realtor to achieve the E-PRO designation offered by the National Association of Realtors. The real estate team at Mayo Associates will greatly miss the leadership, humor and guidance that Rich brought to the office every day.
Rich recently retired as an OHSAA high school football official after 30 years. Rich’s commitment to improving and assisting not only our area’s real estate industry includes his many years as an active member of the Downtown Lions, Boardman Community Baseball, Ohio Athletic Football Association, Boardman Boosters, Boardman High School Dug Out Club, Boardman Youth Baseball, Boardman Little League, Falcon Club of Bowling Green State University, Youngstown State University Athletics, Applewood Swim Club, Rich Center for Autism, the Rescue Mission and Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
Rich enjoyed life to the fullest and was the ultimate family man. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. You would always find him spending quality time with his children and their families. They were the light of his life; they were his world. He was most affectionately called Papa and Paka. He was an avid Ohio sports fan, especially his Browns, Indians and Cavaliers. His friends and family often proclaimed him “the food critic.” He will be dearly missed by all and forever in our hearts.
Rich is survived by wife, Susan Mayo O’Brien; daughter, Jillian (Mark) DeSalvo; sons, Richie (Allison) and Patrick (fiance Alexis Paidas) O’Brien; brother, Michael (Linda) O’Brien; grandchildren, Hadlee, Phebee, Cooper, Mark and Nolan; brother-in-law, Dr. John (Debbie) Mayo; sister-in-law, Janet (John) McCarthy; brother-in-law, Dr. Richard (Fran) Mayo; aunt, Alice Rose Mayo Sinchok; aunt, Helen (Charles) Tincher; uncle, Russ (Janet) Peacock; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Betty O’Brien; and brother, Timothy.
Calling hours will be held Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Charles Church, 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021.
The ocean brought such peace and tranquility to Rich, especially in Corolla in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where the wild horses also make their home, so in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a charitable donation to the Corolla Wild Horse Fund 1130 E. Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC 27927, www.corollawildhorses.com/tributes/, in his memory.
Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences.
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