James Norbert O'Brien

James Norbert O'Brien passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2015 at the age of 86. Born in Flushing NY to Katherine and James O'Brien, Jim attended Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn and graduated from the City College of New York. His lifelong career in the lumber industry began with Furman Lumber headquartered in Boston MA. In 1977, Jim and his wife Joan founded Nutmeg Forest Products, which thrives today including the third generation of O'Briens. A devout Catholic, Jim had a genuine passion for helping others. In addition to coaching golf and swimming for Special Olympics and volunteering with Operation Hope for several years, Jim served on the board of St. Catherine Academy, now known as Saint Catherine Center for Special Needs of the Diocese of Bridgeport, a school dedicated to those with special needs. Jim was active for many years in Faith Express, a program to train young individuals with special needs for the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation. In 1987 he established the Jamie & Laura O'Brien Scholarship at Fairfield University which offers assistance to the siblings of those with special needs. Golf was another passion for Jim and he spent many hours on the golf course at Brooklawn Country Club where he forged some great friendships. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years Joan, his three children and their families: Bill and Sue, Dan and Janice, Cathy and Tom Porter along with 9 grandchildren: Jim, Patrick, Dan, Courtney, Bob, David, Taylor and Darren O'Brien and Thomas Porter. Jim is pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Bill and Richard, sister Katherine and his granddaughter Katie O'Brien. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, October 26, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 4-7 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Catherine Center for Special Needs, 760 Tahmore Drive Fairfield CT 06825. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com