Randy O’Brien

June 2, 2012

Theta 1965 – 1966

Randy O’Brien 66, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 2, 2012 at Wuesthoff Hospice House in Rockledge following a long illness.

Son of Daniel & Dorothy, Randy was born in Ontario, Canada September 30, 1945 with dual citizenship, and at 18 years of age, due to signing up for selective service in the Armed Forces became a full American Citizen.

Randy lived a full life. Being the youngest of 4 brothers with a Military Dad, they lived many places including Germany after the war finally settling in Chatham, NJ. 

Randy held bachelor’s degrees in education, industrial arts and psychology from Newark State College and Kean University in Union, N.J. He had earned educational credits from the U of Florida and Texas A&M U in chemistry, and from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding emergency oil spill response & chemical clean-up. He also received firefighter training from the Firefighters College in Ocala.

In his first career, Randy was a professional musician, playing in various venues up & down the Jersey Shore singing Irish tunes & playing his guitar, then moved to Merritt Island to help his Dad in the oil boom business. He eventually bought American Boom & Barrier, which manufactures equipment used to clean up oil spills and spent several weeks as an advisor during the Valdez oil spill in Alaska.

Randy served on the Brevard County Tourist Development council for 12 years. He was also the former Home Owner’s Assoc. President of Villa del Palmas, a member of the Elks Club, & Ancient Order of the Hibernians. 

He served as District 2 Brevard County Commissioner for eight years where he was a strong voice of Economic Development in his support of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency & instrumental in the start of Brevard County’s Beach Re-nourishment Program, he fought for the taxpayers with no tax increases while in office & voted to televise County Commission Meetings to keep the public informed. With CFFW he was a strong voice & fought many hours through the Manatee Protection Plan to protect Boaters Rights.

Preceded in death by his brother Barry, Randy is survived by his wife Sharon, a son Danny & step-sons Jeff & Nick Naayers, Brad Mowry & Teddy Muto, daughter-in-law Charleen, eight grand-children, brothers Terry and his wife Lorraine of San Diego, CA, Dennis and his wife Lynne of Phoenixville, PA, many loving nieces & nephews and his ever-faithful dog Molly.

Being known as an Irish tenor, Randy could on occasion be heard playing a tune at a local pub or restaurant and always at his annual St. Patrick’s Day parties, he loved boating, traveling & just spending time at home with family & friends.

He will be sorely missed by many!

A post script from Brother Joe Grillo

While we were always friends, Randy and I become closer over the past 10 years. We had a lot of fun travelling on Cruises all over the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal. Aboard the ships, he and I often closed the Roulette table. We also did a trip to Vegas and saw Jersey Boys. Randy commented “we lived this” and I was reminded that I booked the Four Seasons for the College and he was the opening act. Turned out great for him as he opened for them several more times. He loved the fraternity as evidenced by his many return trips from FL.

Additional thoughts by Brother Paul Di Corcia

As Joe Grillo mentioned the almost yearly visits that Randy made to be with the brotherhood, it was there that I truly came to know Randy. Always outgoing, warm, friendly and with that great voice to join in on whatever we might have been “trying to sing”. 

On one of his sojourns north, he told me to “stop by” on my next motorcycle trip to Daytona. The following year, when my group left Daytona we headed south to Key West. On the way back home, what started as a group of 6 riders, began heading in different directions to visit relatives or friends. When the last of my riders left me, I already had called Randy and had been told that I was welcome to stay the night at “The O’Brien’s”. 

I had only planned on staying the one night, but within 10 minutes of my arrival, it was “decided” that one night was not enough, there was too much that Randy and Sharon wanted to show me, and I just “had to” stay another night. I quickly agreed. We went to eat at this wonderful restaurant “on the water’s edge”, with a great view and magnificent food. 

People kept coming up to talk to Randy or Sharon, they were obviously very well known. When I tried to pick up the tab, he would have none of it. Could I leave the tip? NO!! We then went back to “O’Brien’s Pub”. Randy & Sharon’s home is magnificent. Right on the water, with several boats outside, a beautiful patio, with a Tiki Bar, of course. And upstairs, is “O’Brien’s Pub”. WOW! 

With a magnificent view, and a collection of Irish artifacts, along with a group of “rare guitars” that line the wall. And, I’m quite sure that it was not done for my viewing pleasure, but we actually got to witness a rocket take off from nearby Cape Canaveral, putting a satellite in space. Moving right along, for those of you who know me well, you know that I’m a “beer drinker”. That was alright at dinner, but once we arrived at The Pub, Irish Whiskey became the drink of choice. We started with a Jameson, and worked our way to a Michael Collins, which Randy said was one of his favorites. They all tasted quite good to me, and I was quite pleased that it was a short walk from O’Brien’s Pub to my bedroom. I slept real well.

The next day after an outstanding breakfast prepared by Sharon, we headed for the boat and a little ride. Randy, Sharon, me and of course Molly, his ever present dog. We had a wonderful cruise, and came back to a great lunch. For dinner, Sharon’s son Nick arrived and cooked this great roast out on the grill. It was great getting to meet Nick, who for all intents and purposes according to Randy, was now running his business, and doing a great job of it. The dinner was superb, along with such great company. 

The next morning after hugs all around, Randy and Sharon walked me out to my motorcycle and made me promise to “stop by again”. 

God bless Randy & Sharon, along with their great families. I think of him often.