MILLINOCKET – Eugene D. “Pippen” O’Brien, 83, passed away Aug. 22, 2011, at a Houlton health care facility. Pippen was born Sept. 26, 1927, in Vanceboro, to Chester D. and Velma (Grass) O’Brien.
He graduated from school in Vanceboro. Gene was an engineer for Bangor and Aroostook Railroad where he retired after many years of service, and was also a past president of United Transportation Union. He loved spending time at his camp on South Twin Lake, hunting, fishing, playing his guitar and harmonica, as well as woodworking. He was a member of Nollesemic Lodge No. 205 AF & AM, Anah Temple Shrine, Fin and Feather Club, Francis Elliot Post No. 4154, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Donald V. Henry Post No. 80 American Legion, all in Millinocket. Gene served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II, where he met and married his first wife, Christel Holm O’Brien.
He is survived by his wife, Wopke of Millinocket and Fredericton, New Brunswick; son, Harvey O’Brien; daughters, Janet Farquhar and husband, Deed, and Ruth Levesque and husband, John; son, Rand O’Brien, all of Millinocket; brother, Joseph O’Brien and partner, Donald Newby, of Atlanta; a sister, Clarice Bettencort and husband, Frank, of Sacramento, Calif.; granddaughters, Jennifer Brittin and husband, Micheal, of Brooksville, Fla., Ashley and Christel Levesque; grandson, Tyler O’Brien, all of Millinocket; and two great-granddaughters, Makayla and Arianna Britton. In addition to his parents and his first wife, Gene was predeceased by brothers, Edward and Colby O’Brien; sisters, Martha Fish and Patricia O’Brien, as well as several nieces and nephews. The family thanks the staff at Madigan Estates Nursing Home, Houlton, for the wonderful care that was given to Gene while he was there.
Memorial graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Millinocket Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be expressed at
www.lamsonfh.com.