|
 The
Northeastern Midget Association lost one of its most dedicated
competitors and contributors Monday with the passing of Jimmy
O’Brien. As a car owner and officer, O’Brien helped to write over
four decades of NEMA history.
O’Brien, a NEMA member since 1970, said his greatest moment came in
1990 when son Matt jumped into his #16. That relationship carried
into this season.
Introduced to the Midgets by his father, O’Brien got involved back
in the early 1950s. After two years working with others in NEMA, he
joined the owner ranks with the Ray Kelly #33. He always referred to
Kelly, a NEMA legend, “as my mentor.” Chuck Daniel and Len Thrall
also played key roles in O’Brien’s early career.
A member of the NEMA Hall of Fame, he built his own cars and motors
for almost his entire involvement with the club.
His drivers included Johnny Evans, Hank Stevens, Doug Cleveland,
Steve Eldridge, Paul Stoehr and Roy Daniel. Cleveland and Evans won
in O’Brien equipment; Stevens won the 1975 dirt track title.
He was a walking NEMA encyclopedia, always willing to share a wealth
of club history. He was part of several “eras.” Always a defender of
the low-buck competitor, O’Brien, elected to the Contest Board in
1973, was a guiding force for many years. A one-time vice president,
he stepped down in 2003 after 13 years as the club treasurer.
“Jimmy’s dedication to NEMA was incredible, an inspiration really,”
says club president Mike Scrivani Jr. “He loved the Midgets and NEMA
in particular. He was an officer under several presidents.
In all the years I knew Jim, seldom did he raise his voice. And over
the past 10 years watching Jimmy and Matt was just a great thing.”
Funeral services will be on Saturday (April 9, 2011) at 9 AM from
Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, to St. Gregory Church,
235 Maltby St., Bristol, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM.
Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol, CT.
Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday between
5 and 8 PM.
Obituary for James V. O'Brien III
James V. O’Brien, III, 69, of Cheshire and Valrico, FL, formerly of
Bristol, died on Monday (April 4, 2011) at New York-Presbyterian
Hospital. James was born in New Britain on November 30, 1941 and was
a son of the late James V. O’Brien Jr. and Edith (Tyler) O’Brien. He
worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 15 years, Turbine Components
in Branford, and The Wood Group in Wallingford before retiring.
After retirement, he continued to work as a private contractor in
his field of aircraft engine repair. James had a longtime passion
for midget car racing. He raced for over 40 years and was a longtime
car owner. He was a longtime member of the Northeastern Midget
Association (NEMA) where he served as treasurer for many years and
was a recipient of many awards including induction into the NEMA
Hall of Fame. For the past 20 years he remained active as a car
owner and introduced his sons, Dennis and Matthew, to the sport. A
dedicated father , James is survived by his four sons and two
daughters-in-law, James O’Brien of Boston, MA, Christopher T.
O’Brien of Brandon, FL, Dennis and Melissa O’Brien of Deerfield, NH,
and Matthew and Susan O’Brien of Wilmington, MA; a brother, Daniel
O’Brien of Everett, WA; three sisters, Eileen Engels of Bristol,
Jocelyn Nightingale of Litchfield, and Eloise O’Brien of Amherst,
NY; five grandchildren whom he adored and would think nothing of
driving the distance to their activities, Dennis James, Mitchell
Robert, Tabatha Leigh, Samuel Robert, and Benjamin Harold O’Brien;
and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be on Saturday
(April 9, 2011) at 9 AM from Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave.,
Bristol, to St. Gregory Church, 235 Maltby St., Bristol for a Mass
of Christian Burial at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Joseph
Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral
home on Friday between 5 and 8 PM. Memorial donations may be made to
the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation, 164 Anna Dr., East
Bridgewater, MA 02333
www.shanehammond.org Please visit James’s memorial
web-site to view tributes and photos at
www.FunkFuneralHome.com . |
