Daniel J. O'Brien

Daniel J. O'Brien, 66 of North Smithfield, RI passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on April 7th, from complications of a stroke he suffered in 2022. He was the loving husband for 41 years of Louise (Duquette) O'Brien, and the son of M. Louise O'Brien and the late John B. O'Brien.

A life long resident of North Smithfield, Dan was educated in the St. Paul parochial school and North Smithfield public school systems. He graduated with a BS in accounting and an MBA from Bryant College. (Dan being Dan, he refused to acknowledge that it is now Bryant University!) In addition to being a CPA, Dan enjoyed a long, successful 30 year career as the CFO at Navigant Credit Union, which started back when there was only one branch, known as Credit Union Central Falls.

A dedicated family man, professional, and civic volunteer, he will forever be remembered for his humbleness and calm approach to life, and even more so for his sarcasm, wit and one liners. You never knew what he was going to say, but laughter always filled the room when he said it.

Dan volunteered for several organizations in his lifetime, including coaching youth sports, town government boards, and professional organizations and committees, always giving 100% effort to whatever he did. The one volunteer position that was near and dear to his heart, was his 30 year commitment as board member and treasurer to the North Smithfield Fire and Rescue Association. Dan considered the many people he encountered over his 30 years there as family. He dedicated countless hours to the department, and always wanted what was best for the members.

As much as Dan had a great affinity for all things fire department related, he also had a great love of railroad trains. He enjoyed visiting train museums and always insisted on taking the train on trips to Boston or New York. Upon his retirement, he spent a year planning a 6 week train trip around the country for he and his wife - "a trip of a lifetime" - as he often stated.

A true class act and man of his word, he was never afraid to deal head on with whatever came his way, in both his personal and his professional life. Often known as 'the voice of reason', he had a level headed approach to any problem he encountered.

His family and friends meant the world to him. There was nothing he enjoyed more than sitting around a table or fire, sipping on a little 'some-in some-in' with his friends and family, trying to solve the problems of the world.

Dan acquired many nicknames throughout his life time: Dan-O, Danny Boy, Dan the Man, The Commish, The Banker, Dankini, and Wanna Be Fireman, but his most recent name of Papa to his 2 grandsons, Cameron and Hunter, was the one he cherished the most! It was his hope that his traditions, stories and life lessons will be the legacy he leaves for his children and grandchildren. Dan and his exceptional sense of humor will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to his wife and mother, Dan is also survived by his children, Erin (Steve), Patrick (Lindsay) and grandsons Cameron and Hunter, all of Connecticut, brothers Timothy (Rosemary) of Woonsocket and Terrance (Jennifer) of Connecticut, brother-in-law Luc Savard (Barbara) of Pennsylvania and 3 nephews and 4 nieces. He was predeceased by his faithful canine companion, Mia.

The family would like to thank Hope Hospice of Rhode Island for the excellent care he received from his nurses Jenn, Cathy and Valerie and CNA, Rebecca. They would also like to thank his caretaker of 3 years, Fatihou Moumouni and Dan's cousin, Michael McGrane for his frequent visits and dedication to Dan.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 15th, from 4-7 pm at Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main Street Woonsocket, RI. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 16th at 10 AM, at Divine Mercy Church 48 St.Paul Street, Blackstone, MA. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to North Smithfield Fire and Rescue Service, 1470 Providence Pike North Smithfield, RI 02896, Hope Hospice Care of Rhode Island 1085 North Main Street Providence, RI 02904, attn: philanthropy or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.

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