Former mayor remembered
Hundreds paid their respects this week as a man who once held the power as the city’s chief executive was laid to rest. Edward M. O’Brien, who sat as the mayor of West Haven for two terms (2013-17) lost his biggest battle, fighting a rare form of cancer, passing away on July 29. He was 61. Despite rainy conditions Monday, hundreds lined at West Haven Funeral Home for the wake, while a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. John Vianney Church, Tuesday, bringing others.
A 1982 graduate of West Haven High School, O’Brien teamed up with his family to run Goldworks on Campbell Avenue and later run after graduating the Ezra Bowman Technical Institute and the Gemological Institute. Most recently, he ran OBJewelers.com.
O’Brien had never been secretive about his illness, using it as a means of communication to others also suffering from the disease. With the notice of his passing last week rumbling through the city, officials, friends and colleagues were quick to point out his affable nature and the fact he never forgot he was “a Westie.”
Mayor Dorinda Borer led the accolades, coming out with a detailed statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that former Mayor Edward O’Brien lost his battle with cancer yesterday. He was only 61 years old.
“Ed dedicated many years of his life to serving the residents of West Haven, first as a member of the City Council and later as the City’s 11th Mayor. His commitment to public service and his passion for the city were evident throughout his devoted years in office. He was a great contributor to our community, serving on everything from the PTA to many volunteer organizations and even served as a Yale Fellow.
“His courage and determination extended beyond public office as he faced his illness with remarkable strength and resilience.
“Ed had many friends but above all, he was a family man that loved nothing more than spending time with his family.
On behalf of our city, we collectively send our condolences to his wife Roberta, his son David and daughter Caitlin, his brothers Michael and Frank and sister Rosemary, their extended families and of course his mom and Don.
“We know this is very difficult for them. We send them peace, comfort and strength in this time. Rest in Peace, Ed.”
She added to that statement with added personal thoughts.
“While Ed is widely known as having served in the capacity of mayor, his footprint is much more than that to many of us who grew up together, our children grew up together, and we served on many volunteers groups together so we saw first-hand his passion to help everyone around him,” she said this week.
Politically, O’Brien served on the City Council, including as majority leader and later chairman, before assuming the third-floor mayor’s office of City Hall. He served in those capacities at a time in the city’s political history when the Democratic Party, which has led the city exclusively since 1991, was factionalized, fraught with almost visceral competition between the factions.
He won his first term, beating rival John Picard in a close primary, and then won the general election. He was known as a person who relished the post of mayor, with residents noting his love of attending functions and events that showed the best of the city he loved.
As a city leader he had to continue to navigate the internal fighting among the majority party’s factions and had some success.
Despite those headwinds, he was able to secure a long-awaited deal for the long-delayed redevelopment. First called the “Water Street Project,” it morphed into other names until “The Haven” was finalized in October of 2014, based on talks that began under Picard.
Unfortunately, the project languished following the announcement, hampered by market forces at a time when e-commerce was taking up more of the retail market, eclipsing brick-and-mortar properties.
But it was not only in politics that O’Brien made his mark. Longtime councilman/official Ronald Quagliani, a political colleague, said his mark went far beyond solely politics.
Quagliani, who now serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the West Haven Community House, knew a civic-minded individual, who gave back to his hometown.
“Ed was a steadfast volunteer, a dedicated advocate, and a true champion for the City of West Haven,” Quagliani said. “His commitment to serving others was evident as mayor and through his involvement with numerous nonprofit organizations, including his role with us as Second Vice President of the Board of Directors for the West Haven Community House. While his loss is deeply felt throughout our city, his legacy of service, compassion, and civic pride will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Quagliani said his grief, like that of others, is real and personal.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives were enriched by his kindness and dedication. May we all find comfort in the memories shared and strength in knowing that his impact on West Haven will not be forgotten,” he said. “The West Haven Community House, the many non-profits he championed, and the City of West Haven as a whole are all better off today because of Ed O’Brien.”
He is survived by his wife, Roberta Madden O’Brien; children Caitlin and David O’Brien; Mother Antoinette O’Brien Russo (Donald Russo); siblings Rosemary (Alan Alfonso), Michael (Kathleen O’Brien) and Frank O’Brien; and sister-in-law Karen Palmeri. He was preceded in death by his father, Sgt. Dermot O’Brien, NHPD, mother-in-law Marguerite Madden, and brother-in-law Tim Palmeri.
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