MARLBOROUGH- John W. "Jack" O'Brien Sr. 84, of Marlborough died peacefully Thursday December 20, 2007 at his home surrounded by family. He was the husband of Helen J. (Donahue) O'Brien to whom he was married 60 years. Born in Marlborough, son of the late Marlborough Patrolmen John W. O'Brien and Mary S (McDonald) O'Brien. He was a lifelong resident. Following graduation from Marlborough High School Class of 1942, where he excelled in Baseball and was Captain of the Basketball team. John played for the Marlborough Baseball League and the Cozy Café He was a veteran of World Was II in the U.S. Navy serving on the S.S. Robert Erskine, the S.S. Santa Paula and the S.S. James B. Richardson. His Navy tours took him to places like Belgium, Italy, Holland, France and Pearl Harbor. John was honorably discharged in 1944 ranking as a Navy Coxswain, USNR. On returning to Marlborough, Mr. O'Brien worked as a prison guard at the Concord Reformatory in Concord from 1947-1952. In 1952 he was employed as a security guard at General Motors Corporation Framingham retiring in 1983 after 30 years with the rank of Sergeant of Plant Security. With John's love for the City of Marlborough and passion for politics, he became actively involved for 14 years starting in the late 1950's in Marlborough politics. He held the offices of Councilor Ward 5 and Councilor-at-Large. In 1965 he ran for the mayoral race. He was chairman of special events during Marlborough Tercentenary 300th birthday celebrated in 1960. He was appointed by Mayor Frederic A. Cole in 1971 as Committee Chairperson for the "Spirit of 76". This involved planning the city's participation to celebrate the nations 200th birthday. He was a past member of the Akroyd-Houde Post, A.L., and the Marlborough Hibernians. He was once a volunteer firefighter at the Pleasant Street Fire Station. John was an avid golfer and a longtime member of St. Mark's Golf Course. He enjoyed taking his family every year to Maine, summering on Long Lake. Later he traveled with his wife Helen to Saratoga, New York to enjoy horse racing. John taught his children the importance of not forgetting those who had passed before them, making sure a monthly visit to cemeteries to pay respect, and care for their resting place. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish. Besides his wife, he leaves his sons, John W. O'Brien Jr, Patrick P. O'Brien and his wife Debra of Marlborough; His daughters Kathleen M. Menefee, and her husband Michael of Chester, VA. Carol A. Ahern, and her husband Thomas of Shrewsbury, Karen J. O'Brien-Hayes, and her husband Patrick Jr. of Marlborough; thirteen grandchildren , Melissa M. Margeson, Michael R. Menefee Jr, Maeve H. Ahern, Brendan T. Ahern, Katherine M. O'Brien, John P. O'Brien, Shannon E. O'Brien. Patrick D Hayes III, Sean W. Hayes, Kyle T. Hayes, Garrett L Hayes, Bridget Alannah-O'Brien Hayes, Aedan J. Hayes. He was the brother of the late Donald J. O'Brien and late Barbara M. O'Brien. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday December 28, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St. Marlborough. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Marlborough. Visiting hours are Thursday December 27 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.SFCFH.com), 378 Lincoln St. Marlborough. In lieu of flowers family requests that memorial contributions be made to the John W. O'Brien, Sr. Political Science Scholarship Fund, Marlborough High Schoo,l c/o Carol A Ahern 36 Beverly Hill Dr. Shrewsbury, MA 01545. .