Former West Haven Mayor Ed O’Brien Dies At 61, Remembered For His 'Commitment To Public Service'

WEST HAVEN, CT — Former West Haven Mayor Ed O’Brien died Wednesday after a battle with an “ultra-rare cancer.” He was 61.

O’Brien, who served two terms as West Haven’s mayor from 2013-17, shared in March that he had been diagnosed with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE).

O’Brien said he was sharing his diagnosis to help spread awareness and raise research funding for EHE, which currently has no cure.

Mayor Dorinda Borer said O’Brien “dedicated many years of his life to serving the residents of West Haven, first as a member of the City Council and later as the City's 11th Mayor.”

“His commitment to public service and his passion for the city were evident throughout his devoted years in office,” Borer wrote in a post on Facebook. “He was a great contributor to our community serving on everything from the PTA to many volunteer organizations and even served as a Yale Fellow.

“His courage and determination extended beyond public office as he faced his illness with remarkable strength and resilience.

“Ed had many friends but above all, Ed was a family man that loved nothing more than spending time with his family.”

O’Brien was a member of West Haven High School’s Class of 1982, and also graduated from the Ezra F. Bowman Technical Institute in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the Gemological Institute of America in New York City.

He was the founder and CEO of OBJewelers.com and was considered a national leader in custom fine jewelry, according to his obituary. Before that, he owned and operated GoldWorks, a custom jewelry design and jewelry repair studio located in downtown West Haven.

“O’Brien served on the Board of Directors of the West Haven Community House, WHEAT, Inc., and St. Lawrence School,” according to his obituary. “He was affiliated with numerous civic organizations, including the West Haven Irish- American Club, the West Haven Downtown Merchants Association, and the Elks Lodge 1537. He supported Wimbash, a charitable music festival series and community initiative that supports music education.”

Both the West Haven Democratic and Republican town committees wrote tributes to O’Brien on Thursday morning.

“We at the Democratic Town Committee are deeply saddened by the passing of former Mayor Ed O'Brien after his courageous battle with a rare form of cancer,” the West Haven Democratic Town Committee wrote in a post on Facebook. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.

“Mayor O'Brien's dedication to the City of West Haven and its residents, his love for his community and his commitment to public service will be remembered for years to come.

“On behalf of the entire Democratic Town Committee, we thank Mayor O'Brien for his years of service and the passion he brought to our city.

“Rest in peace, Mayor O'Brien. You will always be a #Westie.”

West Haven Republican Town Committee Chairman Jeff Christman wrote in a post on Facebook that the committee “extends our thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt condolences to the O’Brien family on the passing of Ed O’Brien.”

“My personal experience with Ed was always positive,” Christman wrote. “He was quick to say hello, carried a consistently warm and upbeat attitude, and had a smile that made every interaction feel genuine. I truly believe he was a good man.

“He will be greatly missed by his friends, his family, and his current and former colleagues.”

Calling hours will be held on Monday, Aug. 3, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at West Haven Funeral Home.

Read the full obituary at West Haven Funeral Home here.

See also: Former West Haven Mayor Diagnosed With ‘Ultra-Rare Cancer’