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James R. O’Brien, longtime resident of Guilford, passed away on Jan. 2 at Madison House. He was the devoted husband of Barbara (Zemke) O’Brien of almost 54 years.

Mr. O’Brien was born in Hartford on Dec. 13, 1944, son of the late James H. O’Brien and Jean (Waters) O’Brien. He was a wonderful and loving father to Mollie O’Brien and her husband Michael, Matthew James O’Brien, Margaret O’Brien Cartier and her husband Jon Paul, and long-time family member Brian Dostie, all of Guilford.

Jim “Pop-Pop” was a proud grandfather of his three adoring grandchildren, Mackenzie O’Brien Dostie (Michael), Keegan Mercer Dostie, and James McNally Cartier. He is also survived by his three sisters, Janet Marlowe, Lynn Wiese, and Jane Dion (Peter). Uncle Jimmy was loved by his nieces and nephews.

Jim is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Germany as a police dog handler. He often bragged about his four-legged partner Dolph. Before retirement, Jimmy worked for SNET for 39 years. He was a longtime member of the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department, starting with Washington Engine Company and ending as a “hook” with the Hook and Ladder Company. After retirement, he loved working with his nephew Peter, driving a truck for Peter Marlowe Forest Products.

Jim had an eclectic taste for music that he has passed on to each and every one of his family members. His greatest pleasure was spending time with his family and wanting to be a part of their everyday lives.

In loving memory of our dear husband and father, there is not a day that goes by when we won’t think of him raising the American and Irish flags, feeding the birds, and cooking Sunday dinners.

Friends are invited to pass-through calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. COVID-19 guidelines must be followed; social distancing and face masks must be worn. Burial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10, at Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston Street, Guilford. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, CT Chapter 200 Executive Blvd, Suite # 4B Southington, CT 06489 https://www.alz.org/ct or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.aspx. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.