May 25, 1931 - June 23, 2011

John Joseph O'Brien, a Coeur d'Alene resident for 28 years, passed away June 23, 2011, at his home following coronary and respiratory illness. John had just returned from a beautiful Father's Day and vacation with his family in California.

Born in San Francisco, Calif., May 25, 1931, to Leo Ignatius and Agnes Mary O'Brien nee Haley, he attended Saint Ignatius Preparatory School, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1952 after spending his freshman year at University of San Francisco. John would return to USF to earn a Juris Doctorate in 1957. During the five years between he served in the United States Air Force in Mountain Home, Great Falls, Mont., and Alamagordo, N.M. John spent much of this time testing Hot Air balloons, a love he retained throughout his life.

Known to family and friends in the Bay Area, as Joe, dad practiced law for 24 years, 22 of which he spent in the District Attorney's office of San Francisco. In 1976, John married the love of his life, Patricia J. Leahy with whom he would raise son Brian Patrick and daughter Eileen Patricia.

After retiring in 1982, the family relocated from San Francisco to a wooded hillside farm just outside Coeur d'Alene, and "Joe" became known to local friends as "John."

An active member of his parish, John attended St. Thomas Catholic Church with his family. An avid volunteer and community leader, he kept busy serving as the president of Saint Thomas Parish Council for nine years. John volunteered on the board, later serving as president of the local St. Vincent DePaul Society. He spent 23 years as the president of the Kootenai County Water District 1.

Devoted to fatherhood, dad spent countless hours driving to and from Spokane while volunteering at Gonzaga Prep sporting events watching his son and daughter participate in Cross Country and Track and Field.

John Joseph was predeceased by his parents and brother, James, who died in infancy, and sister, Lucille Marie.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; son Brian of Seattle; daughter Eileen Lua; son-in-law Tony Lua and darling granddaughter Jacqueline Patricia Lua of Santa Rosa, Calif. John is further survived by his brother, Leo Joseph, and sister-in-law Carol of Orinda, Calif., their children Erin, Leo and Sean and six grand nephews and nieces.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Fr. William Crowley at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011, at St. Thomas Catholic Church followed by a celebration of John's life at the family's home. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene, is handling the final arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations be made in John's name to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Coeur d'Alene.

May you find eternal rest with your Lord as peaceful as your granddaughter found those precious hours napping on your shoulder such a short time ago.