On Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, Terry O’Brien, a dreamer, adventurer and jolly old soul passed away at age 75 surrounded by family.

Terry was born and raised in Seattle on January 29th, 1943 to parents Alvaretta (Penny Adams) and Eugene (Bud) O’Brien, and by his Aunt Louise (O’Brien) and Uncle Mitt Askey. Terry grew up in West Seattle, where he attended Holy Rosary School and served as an altar boy. He played football and later coached at Seattle Prep High School. At Seattle University, he met Coleen (Keenan) O’Brien, they were married 24 years and raised two children together.

In 1979, he bought a small commercial fishing boat and the family moved to Orcas Island where he opened a sporting goods store from which he served as “Mayor of Eastsound.” He was an official for football and basketball games and loved to support his own children, as well as all of their friends: “Go Hard” was his mantra for athletics. Terry loved to travel; he spent time in Spain, Japan, and India. For the last 25 years of his life, Terry lived in West Seattle. Wherever he lived and traveled, Terry made good friends and especially liked to “shoot the bull.”

Terry loved fishing, a strong cup of coffee, football, no hassles, working out at the YMCA, falling asleep in his recliner, dancing to Neil Diamond, steak and lobster, crabbing on Orcas Island, skiing at Crystal Mountain, John Denver, trips to Alta, Utah and Missoula, Montana, water skiing at Long Lake, tomato aspic, making seafood bouillabaisse.

Terry was proud of his children Kevin O’Brien and wife Nancy, and their sons Keenan, Daniel and Colin, as well as Terry’s daughter, Shannon O’Brien and her husband Chuck Dumke and child Carter. He is survived by his sister Kathleen (O’Brien) Toensjost and his brother Pat O’Brien.

Many thanks to Harborview Hospital and UW Medicine for taking such good care of him.

Services will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 11 a.m., at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle.