Lawrence O'Brien

SAN DIEGO & AU SABLE FORKS | Lawrence "Larry" O'Brien passed away in San Diego on Jan. 18, 2024, at the age of 93. He was born in Au Sable Forks on Feb. 21, 1930, the son of Thomas E. and Winifred (Wallace) O'Brien. Larry grew up in Wilmington, N.Y., with his six siblings. He attended local schools and was the valedictorian of the Class of 1947 at Au Sable Forks High School. He worked locally until 1948, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, spending 15 months on active duty in the U.S. He was called back to active duty at the start of the Korean War. Larry became a sergeant in charge of a tactical psychological warfare unit (1st Loudspeaker and Leaflet Company), which was active on the front lines. He distinguished himself for heroism in May of 1951 when he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for saving the life of the general in charge of the 7th Infantry Division. Discovering an ambush site where the general and aides were pinned down, he took action. When he returned from Korea he attended the Radio and TV Broadcasting school in N.Y.C. He became and actor in stage plays and early TV in New York and California. His interest in performing led to appearances on David Letterman in skits as well as commercials and advertising for national companies and public service broadcasts. In the 1960s Larry became an owner-manager of Excelsior Farm in Orange County, N.Y. The farm bred, trained and raced harness horses with success throughout the Northeast. This endeavor was an unlikely path that he found both rewarding and challenging. In the 1990s Larry sold the farm and retired to San Diego, where he did volunteer work and was well known in his neighborhood. Larry was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Eileen (Bill) Tedford, Catherine (Bill) Dillon, Thomas O'Brien Jr, John (Barbara) O'Brien, Hugh O'Brien, and Winifred (Ray) Mousseau. He is survived by his sister-in-law Barbara O'Brien and brother-in-law Ray Mousseau, as well as many nieces and nephews. Larry was laid to rest in Holy Name Cemetery on May 3, 2024, with his nieces and nephews in attendance. He also leaves numerous friends in San Diego and N.Y.C., where he spent the greater part of his life.

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