Richard (Dick) James O’Brien, 86, a resident of Lee County since 2018, formerly of Tampa, FL and Cullowhee, NC, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024 in Cape Coral. He was born August 6, 1938 in Keansburg, NJ to William Sr. and Mildred O’Brien, now deceased.
Dick graduated from the University of Tampa in 1963 where he played football and earned his B.S. degree. He received his Master’s Degree from Western Kentucky in 1969. Coach O’B spent 60+ years of his life coaching at the high school and college levels in the sports of football, track, golf and softball. He spent his high school years in Florida coaching at Robinson, King, Jefferson Hillsborough, Sickles, Ida Baker, North Ft, Myers and Clearwater Central Catholic. He also put in time at Olive Branch HS in Mississippi. His college career began with the Volunteers at the University of Tennessee and ended with the Catamounts of Western Carolina University. Coach was voted in as a member of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2006 as well as into the CCC Marauder Athletic Hall of Fame. Dick was a former Bishop in the Double Springs Church of God.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Heidi O’Brien of Fort Myers, FL; two children, Shannon O’Brien (Sherrie) of Memphis, TN and Patrick O’Brien (Carla) of Cape Coral, FL; five grandchildren, Shelby (Chase), Cullen (Karen), Cassidy, Sean and Shane; two great grandchildren, Kelwyn and Brantley as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his four brothers; William Jr, Thomas, Edward & Eugene.
Memorial Services will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Cape Christian Fellowship, 2110 Chiquita Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL 33991, with Pastor Dennis Gingrich officiating.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that Memorial Contributions in memory of Richard O’Brien (Coach O’B) can be donated to two separate organizations of your choice. The suggested organizations are…
>Tuition Assistance Fund of Clearwater Central Catholic High School at https://givebutter.com/tuitionfund or checks payable to CCC can be mailed to Clearwater Central Catholic High School, 2750 Haines Bayshore Road, Clearwater, FL 33760.
>Checks payable to: Hillsborough Athletic Booster Club; Memo: “Football Team Fund/Coach O’B”. Checks can be mailed to Hillsborough High School, 5000 Central Ave, Tampa, FL. 33603.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.
Cape Christian Fellowship
with Pastor Dennis Gingrich officiating
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