In Memory of

Paul

Timothy

O'Brien

Obituary for Paul Timothy O'Brien

Paul T. O’Brien passed away on Friday, October 27th, 2017. He was 70. He was born in Berkeley, the third child of Charles and Patricia (Dawson) O’Brien. He attended Catholic school growing up. He worked as a disc jockey for a number of years, and particularly enjoyed doing interviews and talk shows. He was always a people person. In about 1980, he moved to Washington where his sister lived. In Washington, he worked at a residential home for the developmentally disabled, and again as a disc jockey. He became an alcoholic and drug addict, and this affected his life, and other peoples’ lives, in many ways. He got clean and sober in August of 1979, and remained so for the rest of his life. He moved to Aberdeen in 1981 to take a job as disc jockey at KAYO and KXRO. In 1984, he married Susan (“Katie”) Cottrell. They have two daughters who, as babies, became accustomed to hearing Daddy’s voice come out of places like the dashboard of the car or the ceiling in a grocery store, and would look for him there. While the children were small, he went back to school to become certified as a drug counselor, and worked in that field until he retired. Paul has been active in Narcotics Anonymous for many years, and he was one of the founders of the yearly Clean and Free convention in Ocean Shores. He has also been involved in local politics and served on the Board of Directors of Harbors Home Health and of the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport.

Paul is survived by his wife of 33 years, their daughters Monica Shay and Rosemary O’Brien, and their son-in-law Joseph Shay. Paul’s brother, Charles O’Brien, also survives him. A sister, Sheila, died in 1993. In lieu of flowers, Paul would appreciate memorials to the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, P.O. Box 2019, Aberdeen, WA.

A private family service will be held at Harrison Family Mortuary. A Celebration of Paul's Life will be held on Sunday, November 26th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hoquiam Elks Lodge #1082, 624 K St, Hoquiam.

To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen is honored to assist the family.