||| FROM WENDY O’BRIEN |||
John Francis O’Brien III
John Francis O’Brien III died peacefully in his sleep on September 6, 2023 at his home on Orcas Island, Washington. He was born February 14, 1943 in New London, Connecticut. He was an accomplished musician, cyclist, carpenter, storyteller, and much more.
John moved to Orcas in the 1980s living in Deer Harbor in his camper, on his boats, and then in Eastsound. He used his bicycles as his main modes of transportation was and a fascinating and memorable character.
A Celebration of John Francis’s life will be held at the Orcas Island Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 107 Enchanted Forest Road on Friday, October 27 at 5 p.m. Reception to follow.
I am saddened to hear this news. John was a unique, brilliant and sometimes troubled man that I am glad to have known. May he find peace.
I always felt John Francis was illuminating a manuscript in a Cistercian abbey when he tumbled off a stool in the 16th century into the 21st and could never find his way back!
Benevolent to the core, but still an acquired taste….the twinkling eye behind the wire rims will long be remembered.
I am grateful to crossed his path in Deer Harbor.