Obituary of Stephen J. O'Brien

Stephen J. O'Brien, age 49 passed away suddenly June 9th in Wakefield, MA. He was born on September 15, 1974 in Vernon, CT and raised in Newington, CT. Stephen was a Newington High School high honors student graduating in the class of 1992. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1996 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. Stephen earned a Master's Degree in Economics and Mathematics from Brown University.

In 2006, Stephen moved to Massachusetts. He was employed as a Fixed Income Portfolio Manager for BNY Mellon at their Boston office and was a CFA Charter holder. He took great pride in his work and was a dedicated employee. During his career he enjoyed working with a number of colleagues within the industry and always liked connecting with people.

Steve was a fan of all things "Tarheels" and maintained relationships with college and high school friends.

He was an avid Red Sox and Celtics fan, attending many games with family and friends. He was easy to talk to and developed friendships with all that crossed his path. He was a lover of music, attending many concerts and enjoyed trips to Aruba with his loving wife Julie and friends.

Stephen had a peaceful presence about him. He was a gentle and kind soul. He took the time to listen and was there to offer insight and guidance to those around him. Once you got to know him, his personality and sense of humor was apparent. He loved his family and would do anything he could to help provide support and encouragement. His faith was important to him and his daily prayer list was long, because he cared for people. He will be missed by so many and never forgotten.

Stephen was predeceased in death by his grandparents, Anna and Henry Ditrichas and Margaret and John O'Brien. He is survived by his beloved wife, Julie L. (Tripp) O'Brien, with whom he shared 18 wonderful years filled with love and adventure. He was the cherished son of Irene (Ditrichas) O'Brien (Glastonbury, CT.) and Dennis O'Brien (Willimantic, Ct.) and stepson to Susan Johnson, (Willimantic, Ct.) He is also survived by his stepsister Leslie O'Brien and her husband Tony Kydd, Mother-in-law Lorraine Gibbs and Brother-in-law Jeffrey Tripp. He is adored and remembered by his Aunt Candace O'Brien, cousin Sean O'Brien-Best, Aunt Alvyra and Uncle Carl Pavano, Uncle John Ditrichas, cousins Amy Damato, Michael Pavano, and wife Jennifer and their families with whom he was very close and loved deeply along with many other cousins, nieces and countless friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Parish of Saints Isidore and Maria at St. Paul Church, 2577 Main St. Glastonbury on Tuesday, June 25th at 10:00 A.M. followed immediately by a burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hebron Ave., Glastonbury CT. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Food Bank at ctfoodbank.org.