Charles O'Brien, Jr.

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