Obituary of Charles M. O'Brien, Jr.
Charles M. O’Brien, Jr.
Born on July 23, 1943 in Norman, OK to Charles and Betty
O’Brien, passed unexpectedly at home in Shadyside on
Thursday, January 6, 2022, age 78. Between these dates
was a long, good life full of good schooling, hard work
and accomplishments both personal and professional.
After graduating from Norman High School Chuck
attended Michigan State University, where a chance
meeting on a train led him to the career of hospital
administration. He then earned an MBA at the University
of Chicago. He was with the University of Illinois Medical
Center, then a long stint at Georgetown University
Hospital and in 1993 came to Pittsburgh to run West
Penn Hospital. In 1999, he and his team formed the
West Penn Allegheny Health System, the precursor to
AHN. This preserved competition in the region and saved
job and pensions. Later in his career Chuck focused on
Hospital turnarounds at Wheeling and Weirton Hospitals.
Taking “early retirement” at 75, Chuck was able to enjoy
his passions of Sooner football, model trains, oysters,
military history, multiple episodes of “Blue Bloods”, and
winter getaways to his happy place, Eastwind Beach Club
in Delray, FL, where he and Barb made many new
friends. He was the beloved husband and best friend of
Barbara McGinley O’Brien; loving father of Emily O’Brien
(David), Duff O’Brien (Tamara) and Maryellen Gibbons
(Ryan) and stepfather of Daniel McGinley (Maryl),
Carolyn Evans (Dan), Steven McGinley (Annan) and
Maureen Herbster (Greg); grandfather of 13; brother of
Susie O’Brien; former spouse of Maureen Williams; also
survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and brothers and
sisters-in-law. “Goodnight, sweet prince and flights of
angels sing thee to thy rest.” Friends received at McCabe
Bros., Inc, Funeral Home, 6214 Walnut Street, Shadyside
on Tuesday, 3-7 pm. Masks requested. Interment
private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations
in Chuck’s name to Tunnels to Towers Foundation,
www.t2t.org Condolences may be left at
www.mccabebrothers.com