Obituary for Allan Rodney O'Brien
O'Brien, Allan Rodney
Allan Rodney O’Brien, loving husband of Gail O’Brien, beloved father of Scott (Payal), Craig (Alecia), and Lauren, died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 4, at age 75, after a two year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Al was a respected litigator and senior partner at Nelligan Law, his second home. He was very proud of his firm and enjoyed the collegiality of his partners, particularly their reputation for integrity and competence. As a lawyer, he earned the reputation for utmost professionalism and worked tirelessly to advance the interests of his clients. He was often called upon to deal with the most complex of matters and did so with wisdom, wit, skill and grace. Al believed in the law as a force for good and felt it a privilege to serve. His strong intellect was often masked by his humility. Considered one of the most competent and sought-after counsel in Ottawa, Al had an innate empathy for everyone he met. He gave the same respect to a laborer that he would to a judge.
Al was born to Roderick and Donalda O’Brien and raised near Alexandria in a large and loving Irish-Catholic family with his five siblings, the late Sharon Cameron (Donald), Charlie O’Brien (Penny), Linda MacKinnon (Malcolm), Dan O’Brien (Joanne) and Margo Flaro (Denis). Uncle Allan will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He loved to tell his children/grandchildren stories of these early years on the farm. How he enjoyed ‘spinning a yarn’ to a rapt set of family, friends or colleagues that spanned so many adventures over the years. Always funny and engaging, Al’s stories taught profound lessons about how to live an honorable life. But his stories were mostly just funny!
Al’s pride in his grandchildren Dhara, Siersha (Scott); Evan, Chloe, Sophie (Craig); Brody (Lauren) was joyous and intense. He made time for them, loved their cuddles, and took great delight participating in their adventures.
Al made and maintained many lifelong friends during his years at St Patrick’s College and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Epic stories of their shenanigans continue to abound.
The family cottage at Lac Heney (QC) became his oasis; it held a special place in his heart. Al loved puttering about, maintaining the grounds, chatting with neighbours over a beverage or campfire. It was a place of peace, calm, friendship and family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Al’s memory to Orkidstra.ca or to the Canadian Myeloma Research Group.
Special thanks to Dr Andrea Kew for her competent and compassionate care and to the doctors and nurses in the Coronary Care Unit at the General campus.
A funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in June to include family travelling from Australia in a safer Covid time. Notice will be posted closer to the date.
Allan Rodney O’Brien, loving husband of Gail O’Brien, beloved father of Scott (Payal), Craig (Alecia), and Lauren, died peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 4, at age 75, after a two year battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Al was a respected litigator and senior partner at Nelligan Law, his second home. He was very proud of his firm and enjoyed the collegiality of his partners, particularly their reputation for integrity and competence. As a lawyer, he earned the reputation for utmost professionalism and worked tirelessly to advance the interests of his clients. He was often called upon to deal with the most complex of matters and did so with wisdom, wit, skill and grace. Al believed in the law as a force for good and felt it a privilege to serve. His strong intellect was often masked by his humility. Considered one of the most competent and sought-after counsel in Ottawa, Al had an innate empathy for everyone he met. He gave the same respect to a laborer that he would to a judge.
Al was born to Roderick and Donalda O’Brien and raised near Alexandria in a large and loving Irish-Catholic family with his five siblings, the late Sharon Cameron (Donald), Charlie O’Brien (Penny), Linda MacKinnon (Malcolm), Dan O’Brien (Joanne) and Margo Flaro (Denis). Uncle Allan will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. He loved to tell his children/grandchildren stories of these early years on the farm. How he enjoyed ‘spinning a yarn’ to a rapt set of family, friends or colleagues that spanned so many adventures over the years. Always funny and engaging, Al’s stories taught profound lessons about how to live an honorable life. But his stories were mostly just funny!
Al’s pride in his grandchildren Dhara, Siersha (Scott); Evan, Chloe, Sophie (Craig); Brody (Lauren) was joyous and intense. He made time for them, loved their cuddles, and took great delight participating in their adventures.
Al made and maintained many lifelong friends during his years at St Patrick’s College and the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law. Epic stories of their shenanigans continue to abound.
The family cottage at Lac Heney (QC) became his oasis; it held a special place in his heart. Al loved puttering about, maintaining the grounds, chatting with neighbours over a beverage or campfire. It was a place of peace, calm, friendship and family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Al’s memory to Orkidstra.ca or to the Canadian Myeloma Research Group.
Special thanks to Dr Andrea Kew for her competent and compassionate care and to the doctors and nurses in the Coronary Care Unit at the General campus.
A funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be held in June to include family travelling from Australia in a safer Covid time. Notice will be posted closer to the date.