M. Raymond O'Brien

Brunswick – M. Raymond O’Brien, 87, died Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Pittstown, New York, he was the son of the late Martin Raymond O’Brien and Teresa Connolly O’Brien and the husband of Marion T. (Sullivan) O’Brien. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Glens Falls, earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1950 from Niagara University, and his Master’s from the State University of New York at Albany in 1955.

Ray’s career in education began in the Troy public school system where he taught before becoming principal of Troy Public School #2. In 1962, he was hired to be the founding Headmaster of St. Gregory’s School for Boys in Loudonville. Ray retired from St. Gregory’s twenty-seven years later in 1989. He began a second career at LaSalle Institute in Troy serving as Director of Development and then as Director of the Financial Aid Office. 

Throughout his fifty-plus years in education, Ray made significant contributions to a wide range of professional organizations. He served on many boards in both the independent and Catholic school communities.

Ray was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Troy, a Navy veteran of World War II, and an Army veteran of the Korean War.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 64 years, include his children: Michael O’Brien, Troy, Joe (Mary Kate) O’Brien, Syracuse, Dr. John O’Brien, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Mary (Tom) O’Brien Kennedy, Hartland, VT, Tom (Mary) O’Brien, Long Meadow, MA, Anne (Shawn) Sullivan, Wrentham, MA, Martin (Sharon) O’Brien, Troy, Katie (Michael) Barcomb, Shirley, MA, and Matthew (Melissa) O’Brien, Kennesaw, GA; his grandchildren: Eamon and Liam O’Brien, Conor and Sean Kennedy, Lauren (Andrew) Fortune, Jennifer, Bennett, and Erin O’Brien, Meaghan and Matthew Sullivan, Elizabeth and John Barcomb, and Alexandra and Evan O’Brien; and his great-grandchildren, Bennett and Annie Grace Fortune; his siblings: Elizabeth Gomes, Portland, ME, Mary Marcantonio, Glens Falls, Richard (Sally) O’Brien, Naples, FL, and Kay (Dan) Sweeney, Arnold, MD, and many nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by two brothers, Thomas and Robert O’Brien.

Ray was a man of principle. Devoted to his faith, family, and country, he will be missed by all who knew him, and remembered for his kindness, integrity, and wisdom.

Relatives and friends may call at Sacred Heart Church, 310 Spring Avenue, Troy on Wednesday, March 4 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 5 at Sacred Heart Church at 10:30 a.m. where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Rev. John Yanas, officiating.

A private interment will be held on Friday at the Gerald BH Solomon, Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Martin Raymond O’Brien to Sacred Heart Church, St. Gregory’s School for Boys, or LaSalle Institute. 

 Service Information