James (Jim) Edward O’Brien, Rochester, died Friday, June 5, 2015.

Jim was born on May 15, 1924, in Cleveland, Ohio to James and Elizabeth (Nagle) O’Brien. Jim had three sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” (Al) Weiler, Genevieve “Jean” (Ben) Farmer and Marjorie “Marge” (Irving) Slattery and three brothers Thomas (Dorothy), Daniel (Rita) and William (Beverly).

He married Elizabeth Jane “Betty” McGregor of Cleveland at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 5, 1948. She preceded him in death on Dec.  27, 2003. He was also predeceased by his dear friend and travelling companion, Beverly O’Brien of Aurora, Ohio in 2007.

He leaves behind five children; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren: Children: Elizabeth Jane “Betsy” O’Brien, Dublin, Calif.; Patricia Ann “Patty” (Miller), Evansville; Mary Colleen (Carey), Pasadena, Calif.; Terese Marie O’Brien, Rochester; and David Kevin (Chris) O’Brien, Largo, Fla.; Son: James William (Jim) preceded him in death. Grandchildren: Justin Michael (Alisha) Miller, Lafayette; Jennifer Ann “Jeni” (Scott) Selm, Evansville; Kathryn Colleen (Katie) Carey, Eugene, Ore.; and MaryAnne Carey, Knoxville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren: Arianna Jayne McKee; Layney Nicole Miller; Caiden Michael Miller; Makenna Ann Selm; and Aubrey Hope Selm.

Jim was a graduate of St. Aloysuis Elementary School, Cathedral Latin and Collinwood High Schools in Cleveland. Prior to America’s involvement in WW II, he attended New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. He studied civil engineering and aviation.  He was a member of the 42^nd Infantry Division in WW II. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. After the war he proceeded to take advantage of the GI bill and studied at Fenn College (now Case) of Applied Science in Cleveland, OH.

Jim was employed by Bowman Products, Inc. of Cleveland which later became the Bowman Division of The Barnes Group. He was assigned to the Indiana and Southern Illinois/Northern Missouri territory. He moved to Rochester with Bowman in 1951 with his daughters Betsy and Patty and the remaining children were born there. During his time with Bowman, he was promoted to Regional Manager. In 1979 he formed Eljay and Associates, an industrial supply company, a division of O’Brien Group, Inc. and remained active in his business until 2008. He moved to Wynnfield Retirement Community in Rochester in 2012 and died while in residency there. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, The Rochester Elks and Moose Fraternal Lodges and the VFW and American Legion. He was formerly a member of Wabash Country Club, Plymouth Country Club and Walden Golf and Country Club in Aurora, Ohio.

A time of remembrance and reflection will take place at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home , Rochester. Visitation will take place from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USO, Veterans of Foreign War and Catholic Charities.