John O'Brien Obituary

John J. O'Brien HOLLYWOOD, SC - John J. O'Brien, Esq., CLU, CPCU, of Stono Ferry, Hollywood, died at home with his wife and son after a valiant battle against fourteen years of illness. John was born in 1944 in Conshohocken, PA to Mary McGrory O'Brien and Dennis O'Brien. Educated in Catholic schools, John graduated from St. Matthews and from LaSalle College in Germantown Philadelphia. He attended the University of Tennessee and graduated from UT Law School. He met his wife to be, the former Laura Diane Kidd, while at UT. John's first position as a lawyer was with Investors Diversified Services (American Express) in Minneapolis, Minnesota as Assistant General Counsel. John was recruited by American Patriot Insurance as Vice President General Counsel in Philadelphia, PA. His next position was with Colonial Penn Insurance as General Counsel in Center City Philadelphia. He was then recruited by National Liberty Insurance in Frazer, Chester County, PA. During these years, John received his insurance degrees, CLU and CPCU, from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. The O'Briens moved to West Chester, PA when John went into private practice and ran for public office. He held the position of Borough Councilman and was elected as President of Borough Council. John and Diane's son, Alexander was born during this time. Historic Preservation, open land conservation, and urban planning occupied a great deal of John's time through the years. John and Diane restored sixteen nineteenth-century houses and worked on conservation in the Brandywine Valley in East Bradford. In 1985, they purchased and restored the dilapidated 22-room Highland Farm, which they operated as a bed and breakfast for ten years. During this time, out of necessity, John discovered that he had a talent at building dry stone (mortarless) walls and became a member of the Dry Stone Wallers Association of Great Britain. He raised sheep. The O'Briens began moving to Charleston in 1994, where they lived downtown and at Folly Beach. John founded O'Brien and Hennessy Subrogation Attorneys, which had offices nationwide. John was instrumental in bringing Captive Insurance to the state of South Carolina. He was honored to have been called the Father of Captive Insurance in South Carolina! John founded Charleston Captive Management Company, as well as The Friendly Society, Restored, an affinity group for captive insurers nationally who came to a monthly breakfast, as well as an annual meeting, based at Charleston Place. Such wonderful memories! In 2002, John became ill and dealt with his post-surgical difficulties heroically, giving credit to God for his ability to keep working and contributing his insurance expertise to organizations and boards locally and internationally. He served as an Expert Witness in the insurance field. John was published in law and insurance journals and served as adjunct professor at colleges and universities. In 2014, John was awarded Outstanding Insurance Professional Internationally by Lloyds of London. The O'Briens also won many awards for historic preservation efforts. John became active in O'Brien Clan (internationally) and in 2010, became Chairman of the O'Brien Clan Foundation, charged with planning the 1000th anniversary celebration of Brian Boru, uniting all the clans of Ireland. John made many friends internationally during the planning and execution of the 2014 event which took place in all areas of Ireland. John was a storyteller, a scholarly gentleman who loved to make others laugh, a book-lover, a catch-and-release fisherman, a loving husband and father, and most importantly, a Christian who believed that all men are created equal by a God who loves them. John was active in the Man in the Mirror Bible Study at Seacoast Church West. He was in charge of communications and donuts! John was a member of St. Michaels Church, attended Seacoast West, Christ St. Pauls Church Meggett, and St. Mary's Catholic Church. John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Diane; his son, Alex, who devoted the past two years to helping care for his father; and John's sisters, Marianne Serfass (Don) of Pawleys Island, Cordelia McKeown of PA, Kenton and Rebecca Kidd of Knoxville, TN, Linda Layman and Fred Wagner of FL, Denise Kidd of Knoxville; and aunt, Kathryn Howard of Knoxville. Those predeceasing are his parents, Mary and Dennis OBrien; brothers, Dennis, Jr., Edward McKeown, Scottie and Veda Kidd, Gen. John Layman, and Scottie R. Kidd. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews. John's funeral service will be April 29, 2016 at 11:00 am at St Michaels Church, Broad Street, Charleston, SC. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston