Edward J. O'Brien

“What a long, strange trip it’s been.”

Edward O’Brien, Grateful Dead devotee and conversationalist who never ran out of subjects, departed this world with a grace and bravery that truly revealed the strength of the man.

Ed loved many things but   first and foremost was his family, though Villanova basketball was a close second. One of the last things he expressed was how fortunate he was to have his children, how much he loved their partners in life they had chosen and what a great joy his grandchildren were.  He was a master of directions and no matter where he traveled in this world, no matter what the continent, he was always able to navigate his way through any city or rain forest long before Google Maps or Waze.

His favorite thing was dinner with family and friends. Any and all topics of conversations were discussed. Whether it be politics, F. Paul Wilson novels, Def Jam Records, the formation of the   galaxy and its evolution, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, there was no topic too important nor too small to be debated. The only topic everyone had to agree upon was the musical virtuosity of Jerry Garcia. Dining often concluded with dancing in the front hall or the kitchen.

He was a man of simple needs who eschewed any form of sartorial splendor or ostentation. While nothing was too good for his wife and children, he happily would drive a car until it was unrepairable, and took great pride when it reached over the 200,000-mile mark.  He was a prodigy of hand drums, particularly while driving or sitting near a coffee table.

Ed had a great depth of generosity and kind and steady heart. If someone was in distress, he would quietly listen and help. He reveled in the joy of opening his home to the many friends of his children who would stop by but nobody escaped without watching the final four minutes of Villanova’s win over North Carolina during the 2016 March Madness.

He was a proud graduate of La Salle College High School, Villanova University (BA), and Widener University (MBA). After school, Ed began a 45-year career in commercial real estate. His journey in office space began at the DuPont Company where he became manager of their corporate real estate division. He then went on to join Jackson Cross Corporate Real Estate Services. After his time at Jackson Cross, Ed became Senior Managing Director of Julian J. Studley Inc., where his clients included GE, Tyco, and OkiData amongst others. He left Studley to become cofounder and President of the The Staubach Company of Pennsylvania, where he was blessed to partner with the one Dallas Cowboy he liked – Roger Staubach. Ed then decided to take on a daily commute to Delaware, turning his sights to renewable energy co-founding the solar energy company SolarDock, giving him time to call into local sports talk radio stations and discuss why pitching wins World Series.  Even though Ed’s background was in real estate, he did what he had done best for 30 plus years – go down a rabbit hole and learn something new. Even though Ed was a humble man who would wear the same pair of loafers for a decade, he was always intrigued by technology and thinking about the future. He knew the world was always evolving, and that included real estate. With that mindset, Ed became one of the first movers in co-working space as Chief Real Estate Officer at Benjamin’s Desk in Philadelphia and then Director of Corporate Advisory Services at Stock Real Estate Advisors LLC. Ed believed that his career and success was attributed to his ability to speak with anyone, find a commonality, and develop a connection. He also took great pride in the long-lasting relationships he forged during his career and taught his children that how you treat others was a reflection of your character and soul. He looked for the best in people and always found it.

Ed was unconditionally loved and cherished by his wife Catherine, children, Daniel and his family, Lauren, Hunter, Luke and Nora, Veronica Renton and her family, Kevin and Isabella, Robert O’Brien and Elizabeth O’Brien. Brother of Kathleen Markman, Tina Layre and Lisa O’Brien and brother-in-law to Robert Fath, Tom Fath, John Fath and Maureen Sabine. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. We are comforted to know that Ed is now reunited with Ollie, his blind, diabetic dog whom Ed just adored.

“Truckin, got my chips cashed in

Keep truckin, like the doo-dah man

Together, more or less in line

Just keep truckin, on”

What a long, strange, and wonderful trip. Journey well, Ed and thank you for the gift of you.

While Ed believed in and assisted many causes, he was truly touched by one, M25 Initiative.  In lieu for flowers, donations may be made to M25 Initiative, a nonprofit organization in Cumberland County that feeds the hungry, houses the homeless and provides solutions to alleviate the suffering of those in need. M25 Initiative:

https://www.facebook.com/m25initiative/posts/1294773120877061did

https://www.m25initiative.org/housing-first.html

Funeral services will be private.

Arrangements by Jackson Funeral Home, Haddon Township, NJ www.jacksonfh.net