Obituary of Derek Richard O’Brien

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather was called Home by the angels after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Dad was born in Tramore, Ireland and immigrated to Montreal in 1953. There he met and married his wife of forty-six years, Cynthia Mayhew. They moved to Calgary in 1973 where Dad spent his entire career within the engineering field as a draftsman. Dad was a quiet, kind and gentle soul who always gave people the benefit of the doubt. He had a passion for soccer (Manchester United), hockey, horses and the love of the outdoors. We will miss our afternoon walks at Glenmore Park, his sense of humour and his laugh. Left to mourn his loss are his wife Cynthia; son Michael; daughters, Valerie Hudson (Martin), Karen Kaufmann (Thilo) and his five little angels on earth, Liam, Aidan and Siobhan Kaufmann, and Connor and Cooper Hudson. Dad’s newest Hudson angel is due October 1, 2009. He was very pleased and proud to know he would be a grandfather for the sixth time. Dad also leaves behind extended family throughout eastern Canada and the United States. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Tributes at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W.) on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow in Holy Family Cemetery at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433. The O’Brien family sends a grateful thank you to Dr. Dowden and his team, Sharon from Home Care and Dr. Spice and Carla from Palliative Care. In living memory of Derek O’Brien, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.