NEWS
R.I.P. Captain
Edward Augustine O'Brien
Edward Augustine O'Brien, 82, of
Chesapeake Beach, MD, died peacefully at the Mandrin Chesapeake
Inpatient Care Center in Harwood, MD, in the presence of his beloved
partner, Diane Martin on Saturday, June 1, 2019, of cancer. A
charter fishing captain, a life-long advocate for the Chesapeake
Bay, a Marine who served his country with distinction, father of
five, grandfather of nine, and great-grandfather of ten, he will be
forever missed.
In March of this
year (2019), Gov. Larry Hogan bestowed the highest honor to Captain O’Brien
by naming him “Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay” for committing “his
time and talents to improving the management of our natural
resources and preserving our state’s fishing heritage and the
charter boat industry for over 40 years.”
It was a
recognition characteristic of Ed’s lifelong service to his country,
his family, and community. After graduating from Loyola High School
in Baltimore, Ed began his young life in the Marines in 1954 and was
discharged as Sergeant in 1957 with honor. He advanced our country’s
security while working at McDonnell Aircraft as part of the Project
Mercury Team. While with Martin Marietta, then Universal Match
Corporation and as an officer of LaBarge Company, he continued to
work with U.S. government agencies and Congress to enhance national
security efforts. He also served as a Director of Control Video
Corporation, the precursor to AOL.
In 1973 he started
his charter fishing business with Semper Fidelis I on the Magothy
River, Semper Fidelis II out of Solomon’s Island, and Semper Fidelis
II and III from Chesapeake Beach with his son Captain John O’Brien,
until 2017. This is where he found pleasure, peace, and some of
life’s deepest meaning while watching sunshine glisten off the backs
of striped bass breaking water in the early morning light on the
Chesapeake.
In efforts to improve the health of the
Bay and to preserve its fishing heritage, Ed hosted Governors,
Congresspersons, members of the Maryland General Assembly, and
President George W. Bush on the Semper Fidelis. He worked closely
with the Coast Guard and received its highest civilian honor, the
Meritorious Public Services Award. Since 1995, Ed served as Vice
President of the National Charter Boat Association.
Ed was predeceased
by a son, John Patrick O’Brien of Severna Park, MD; a brother Thomas
Charles O’Brien of St. Louis, MO; a grandson, Sean Patrick O'Brien;
and his parents, Edward O’Brien Sr. and Julia Silcott O’Brien of St.
Louis, MO.
A devoted and loyal father, son, and
brother, Ed is survived by his beloved partner of 25 years, Diane
Martin; sons, Edward James O’Brien of Annapolis and Christopher
Edward (Christie) O’Brien of Columbia, MD, daughters, Julie O’Brien
(Steve) Scheide of Arnold, and Meg O’Brien (Brian) Barrett of
Columbia, MD; brothers Joseph Patrick O’Brien of Wichita, KS and
Michael James O’Brien of St. Louis, MO; and daughter-in-law, Suzanne
Reese O'Brien. Ed was the anchor of an extended family; he loved and
is beloved by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, four
nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and in-laws.
Friends and family
are invited to celebrate Edward's life at the Kalas Funeral Home &
Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, June
4, from 6 to 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St.
Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, 701 College Pkwy., Annapolis, MD
on Wednesday, June 5 at 10 am. Interment will immediately follow at
Lakemont Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD
21122. Online condolences may be made at
KalasFuneralHomes.com .
"O God, thy sea is
so great and my boat is so small."
Fair Winds and
Following Seas Captain Ed
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