John O’Brien

— Stonington John C. O’Brien, local attorney and longtime community volunteer, died peacefully March 3, 2023, at the age of 89. He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Joan. He will be sadly missed by his four children and seven grandchildren.

John was born to J. Cyril and Esther Cullen O’Brien and raised in West Hartford. He graduated from Hall High School in 1951. John went on to earn an English degree from the University of Connecticut in 1955. After working at Aetna Insurance company in Hartford for a few years, he returned to school and obtained his law degree from Georgetown University Law School. While a student at Georgetown, he worked for Sen. Thomas Dodd and was assigned to the U.S. Senate subcommittee on juvenile delinquency. He liked to joke that it was a position for which he was well qualified.

John left Washington, D.C., in 1962, to return home to Connecticut, where he visited friends in Stonington Borough and was instantly charmed by the village by the sea. That same year he was introduced to the love of his life, Joan Feigenbaum. They were married in the fall of 1963, and settled in the Borough. They lived in various homes in the Borough before moving to Stoneridge in 2018. John and Joan also enjoyed time in Naples, Fla.

He worked for the firm of MacIntosh and Scott in Groton, where he met another young attorney, Matthew Shafner. Soon afterward, he and Mr. Shafner started their own firm, O’Brien & Shafner, which at its height was the largest law firm in Eastern Connecticut. His law career, primarily focused on real estate and estate planning law, spanned over 50 years. As a result of his dedication to his work combined with his naturally friendly demeanor, many of his clients became lifelong friends.

He held leadership roles in a number of local organizations including chairman of the board of Westerly Hospital. He also served on the boards of the Westerly Hospital Foundation, Stonington Community Center, Stonington Free Library, Eastern Connecticut State University, Mystic Aquarium, and other community and legal organizations. He gave generously of his time and instilled the importance of volunteer work in his children from an early age. John was a founding member of the Stonington Country Club and served as president of the Wadawanuck Club.

Known for his quick wit and kind demeanor, he made friends wherever he went. He participated with greater enthusiasm than skill in various sporting endeavors including golf, tennis, skiing, sailing and croquet. The zenith of his sporting career was his holein-one at the Country Club of Naples. During his nearly 60 years in Stonington Village, he could be seen strolling through the Borough each evening, often with his longtime friend, Frankie Keane and Frankie’s dog, Buttons. He cherished his time with his family most of all, planning active vacations: ski trips and boating were his favorites. He co-owned a Grand Banks 36, which he took on adventures in New England, and Florida. He later acquired a wooden motor boat in a silent auction, calling it “Good Times,” and entertaining friends on local waters.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; his four children: Jennifer O’Brien of Stonington, Brendan O’Brien of Stonington, Betsy O’Brien Luchars (Jim) of Newton, Mass., and Stonington, and Ted O’Brien (Lucy) of Stonington; as well as seven grandchildren: Sam, Margot, Tristan, Ian, Ivy, Teddy, and Martin.

A celebration of his life will be held in June. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Westerly Hospital Foundation, 25 Wells St., Westerly, RI 02891, or the Stonington Free Library, 20 High St., Stonington, CT 06378.