Anthony Francis O'Brien

Anthony Francis O’Brien, affectionately known to all as Tony, passed away on July 9, 2026, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania at the age of 85. He was born on January 18, 1941 in Bryn Mawr to the late James J O’Brien and the late Anna McGlone O’Brien, an Irish immigrant. Tony was a gifted storyteller who loved to laugh, like his father. And like his mother, Tony was an outstanding listener.

Tony attended Saint Anastasia Parish School, Monsignor Bonner High School, and Saint Joseph's University. He then served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile, and went on to earn an MA from Mississippi State University and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame. Tony followed in the footsteps of his father, a plasterer, running his small business in Delaware County for decades. He married Brigid Kathleen O’Brien, and he is survived by her and their three children: Maura Anne O’Brien, Patrick Joseph O’Brien, and Kara Christine O’Brien. Tony is also survived by his brother John O’Brien, his sister-in-law Patricia O’Brien, and his sisters: Sister Regina Anita O’Brien, IHM, Sister Regina Christine O’Brien, IHM, and Christine O’Brien; as well as many loving nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his brother, James Patrick O’Brien.

Tony was fantastically kind, funny, creative, and generous. He loved his family, writing, poetry, music, the woods of Pennsylvania, and NPR. He loved leaving gifts and homemade baked goods outside the homes of his loved ones. He also left groceries outside the homes of people struggling, as Anna had.

We miss his sweetness and humor terribly, but his memory is a blessing. There was no one like him.

Family and friends are invited to Tony's Visitation 9:30-10:30 AM on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at St. Anastasia Church, 3301 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM. Interment SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition in honor of Tony O’Brien.