Obituary of Dr. Brian Joseph "Bob" O'Brien, Glace Bay

Dr. Bob O’Brien age 75 of Glace Bay passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2021 with his loving wife by his side. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was the son of the late Joseph and Bernadette ‘Bernie’ (Quirke) O’Brien. Bob was the beloved husband of Teresa (Molloy) and father to Sean and Cliona and much loved family physician and obstetrician in Glace Bay. A member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Bob came to Glace Bay in 1977 with the intention of spending six months, but fell in love with Cape Breton, and so enjoyed the practice of medicine and was so devoted to his patients that he was still working at the time of his death. He was a wonderful obstetrician, and under his leadership the Obstetrical Unit in Glace Bay finished first in Canada in consecutive surveys of patient satisfaction by the Conference Board of Canada. By the time he retired from obstetrics, he was often delivering the children of patients he had delivered. He then devoted himself to family practice, and was known by all his patients as a compassionate and caring doctor. An avid sailor, he and Teresa crossed the Atlantic in their sail boat Taharra from Charlevoix, Lake Michigan, to Baltimore in County Cork, Ireland, for which they qualified as members of the Ocean Cruising Club of which he was Port Officer for many years. In the early eighties, Taharra was brought to Canada, with a berth at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club where he later became Commodore. He was a competitive racer, winning many a race in Dundee, East Bay, and Baddeck, as well as the RCBYC regatta, which he was instrumental in starting. Those lucky enough to crew with him will have fond memories of him yelling, ‘No chips on board!’ and ‘Pinch up!, Pinch up!’. He and the family enjoyed many holidays on board Taharra, sailing to the Magdalen Islands, Prince Edward Island and the beautiful coves and inlets on the Bras d'Or Lakes and around coastal Cape Breton. He and Teresa also inaugurated the junior sailing program at the RCBYC, accessible to students from all backgrounds. In 1984, he crossed the Atlantic again as part of the Tall Ships race, leaving Sydney on board the schooner Sorcha Breagh with Dr. Martin Brennan as skipper and sometimes in the winter he was known to escape to Saint Vincent in the Caribbean, chartering a yacht with his many sailing friends. As a young man he had spent many summers in the mountains of Ireland, and when Taharra was decommissioned for a few seasons, he and Teresa returned there, climbing some of its iconic peaks, Carantuohill, Brandon, Slieve Donard, and many others. A proud Ireland/Leinster rugby supporter, he was also a brilliant host and raconteur-traditions carried on by his children. He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa, his children, Dr. Séan O’Brien, (Dr. Amy De’Ath), London, England, and Dr. Clíona O’Brien, Seaforth, of whom he was incredibly proud, and his sister, Nuala Harmey, Celbridge, Ireland. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Dympna and his brother in law, Paul Harmey. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. May you have fair winds, darling Bob. A private gathering will be held at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay. Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Doctor O’Brien may be made to Cape Breton Search and Rescue or the Cape Breton Cancer Centre. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca