Francis’passingabigshocktofamilyandfriends
The sudden death on 13 October, 2019, of Francis O’Brien, Oakland Park, at the age of 57, was a big shock to his family and friends.
Francis, known as Flossy, was a son of the late Kevin and Anne (Nancy) O’Brien. He was the youngest of their seven children, two daughters and five sons, and was born in the town’s Military Barracks where he spent the first few years of his life.
The family moved home to Cox’s Demesne and Francis attended the Redeemer National School.
His mother worked in Saint Oliver Plunkett Hospital on the Ardee Road, and Francis also worked there for a time.
He moved to England like his fellow siblings. He first went to Accrington when in his teens, and stayed with his sister, Brigid.
He experienced quite a lot of sadness in his life among which was the death while in England of his partner Stacey at the birth of their daughter Nicola. He also had his own personal struggles.
Francis moved to the north-east to Sunderland and started a new relationship with Sharon, and became father to three sons, Stephen, Kevin and Sean and daughter, Jennifer.
He remained on Wearside for around 13 years, keeping in touch with his home town, which he visited once or twice every year or two.
He returned to Dundalk and lived on Castletown Road and Hughes Park for short periods before returning to his early roots to reside in Oakland Park.
Then a happy event occurred that brought serenity to his life, meeting a new partner while on holiday. They had a daughter, Francine (Faith) who is now aged four.
Josephine and Francine live in the Philippines and Francis had plans to be with them, but sadly didn’t get to fulfil those hopes.
He was a follower of golf and horse racing, and a weekly pastime was to study the form and place a wager on a fancied golfer, and on the horses trained by his favourite trainer, Mark Johnston.
He also enjoyed gardening, and was fond of flowers and shrubs and tending to them.
Francis is sadly missed by daughter, Francine (Faith) and his other children, Nicola, Jennifer, Seán, Kevin and Stephen; sisters, Brigid and Mary; brothers, Charlie, Paddy, Oliver, John and Mark; his partner, Josephine in the Philippines, along with brothers-in-law, sisters-inlaw, grandchildren, uncle, aunt, cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He reposed at Quinn’s Funeral Home before being removed to Saint Nicholas’ Church.
Father Michael Darko celebrated the Funeral Mass, with Francis’ brother, Paddy delivering the eulogy.
The Readings were given by niece, Nena and daughter, Jennifer.
Burial took place in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery, Dowdallshill.