John R. O’Brien was born in New York City and raised in the village of Floral Park. He is the eldest son of William and Marie O’Brien who raised ten children. John attended Our Lady of Victory School in Floral Park and later Maria Regina Diocesan High School. John started his career as a Quality Control Technician in 1976. He also worked in the defense industry with Bulova and held other test and measurement positions in Quality Control until 1997.
John married his wife, Eileen, in 1996 at Our Lady of Victory and moved to Westbury. He gave up his Quality Control career the following year to become one of the first “Mr. Moms” as the couple welcomed their first child, Kathleen. Within a few years, John was also a stay-at-home father to Julia, Norah and John. As the children grew, John started to volunteer again in many different areas including Holy Family School in Hicksville. For 15 years, he was a CYO track coach, a cafeteria helper, a Boy Scout leader and even a Girl Scout leader.
Additionally, for his Parish, he is the long-standing Family Life Coordinator and the Respect Life Coordinator. John also represents his parish with the Diocese of Rockville Centre and the Office of Human Life, Family and Bioethics. When his children got older John joined AOH Division 11 Hicksville where he has held numerous positions including Treasurer, Vice President and President. He is currently completing his 4th year as the Nassau County AOH President, and formerly served two terms on the NYS AOH Board. Since 2009, John serves on the Nassau County Feis & Irish Festival Committee. John is a pro-life advocate organizing Hibernians for Life here in New York and is the chair of “Stand Up for Life” with the Long Island Coalition for Life. He is on the board of the Coalition for Life as Chairman of Nassau County. Currently, he is working on getting landmark status for the Mariners Burying Ground where 139, mostly Irish, victims were buried in a mass grave in 1837.
John believes his Irish roots are responsible for his love of family and life, and is honored to serve as an Aide to the Grand Marshal in 2023.