James T. O'Brien

ROCKVILLE, MD – James T. O'Brien, 67, a professor of physics and engineering at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD for 37 years, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at Rockville Nursing Home after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumor.
Jim was born in Troy and was the son of the late James T. and Margaret M. (Meehan) O'Brien. He spent his early years in Watervliet and Albany and attended St. Brigid's School and Vincentian High School. He received a B.S. in physics from Siena College and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Catholic University.
He was a member of the faculty at Montgomery College's Rockville campus from 1971 until his retirement in 2009. He developed curricula and taught a wide variety of courses in physics and engineering. He had extensive advising experience in transfer engineering programs.
Jim served as Chairperson of the Department of Physics, Engineering, and Geosciences from 1980-1986. He was the original designer and developer of the College's website and served as Chair of the Web Maintenance Team. He twice served as president of the College's American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapter, and was active in the group since its inception.
Jim was also a research professor in the Department of Physics at Catholic University. He was active in the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, VA, where he served as archivist of the CLAS collaboration.
Jim was an avid reader and a lover of books. He enjoyed bird watching, puzzles, games and classical music.
Jim is the dearly loved husband of Sylvia D. O'Brien of Rockville, MD; stepfather of Christopher (Rebecca) Evans of Royersford, PA; brother of Michael (Ginny) O'Brien of Rensselaer, Peg (John) Tucker of Albany, Kathleen O'Brien of Schenectady, Gerald (Joan) O'Brien of Loudonville, and the late Kevin J. O'Brien who died recently on 2/12/10. He is the uncle of Jennifer (Lewis Dubuque) O'Brien of East Greenbush, Brendan (Amanda Segilia) O'Brien of Brooklyn and Sharon O'Brien of Schenectady. He is the great-uncle of Maura and Caroline Dubuque, and Gabriel O'Brien. He is the nephew of Norma O'Brien of Hoosick Falls and Ann O'Brien of Buffalo and is also survived by several cousins.
Funeral services will be Saturday morning at 9:15 at New Comer Cannon Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.) then to Christ the King Church at 10:00 where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The parish family of Christ the King will gather at 5:30 p.m. for a service of prayer and remembrance. All are welcome. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy.
In lieu of flowers, at the family's request, memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery College Foundation, 900 Hungerford Dr., Rockville, MD 20850 or Montgomery Hospice Society, 1355 Piccard Dr., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850 in memory of Dr. James T. O'Brien.