John Joseph O'Brien

John J. O'Brien, Sr., 92, of Sinking Spring, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 5 in Reading Hospital with his devoted wife and loving family by his side.

Born August 26, 1925 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Francis and Ellen (Cotter) O'Brien. John was married to Loretta (McGuire) O'Brien on August 8, 1953, and they shared 64 wonderful years of marriage.

A graduate of Canisius High School, Buffalo, John earned both his Bachelor's and Master's in Chemistry from Canisius College, before embarking on a career in chemistry working for Allied Chemical and Crompton & Knowles. He retired in 1993 as the Director of Manufacturing at Crompton and Knowles, Reading.

Although he achieved tremendous success as a businessman, John's true devotion was to his family. He and Loretta cherished time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in whom he took enormous pride. More than anything, John put the wellbeing of others before his own, and he will be lovingly remembered for his selflessness, quiet strength, and dry wit. His family will miss him dearly.

John proudly served his nation as a Technical Sergeant in the US Army's Medical Division. He was also a longtime member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Whitfield.

In addition to his wife, John is survived by their daughters: Kathleen, wife of Edward Henderson, Hollidaysburg; and Joanne, wife of Gerald Crawford, Hershey; and their sons John J. Jr., husband of Maria (Hofmann), Sinking Spring; and Thomas F., husband of Cindi (Kallelis), Sinking Spring. John was "Grandpa" to 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by three sisters: Mary Grace O'Brien, Virginia Donovan and Geraldine Mudie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 11 at 12:00 p.m. at the Chapel of St. George at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, with military honors and interment to follow. A public viewing will be held Monday from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John's honor may be made to Mary's Shelter, 736 Upland Avenue, Reading, PA 19607.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.