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Services Set For Richard O’Brien, 60, Of Easton, TV News Executive

EASTON, Conn. — Richard H. O'Brien of Easton, a leading television news executive, died Saturday, Aug. 5, at Bridgeport Hospital while surrounded by his family and friends. He was 60.

Richard H. O'Brien

Richard H. O'Brien

Photo Credit: Contributed

He is survived by his wife, Mary Karen (Devine) O'Brien and his children Kathleen (Katie) and Connor O'Brien.

Born in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., he was the son of the late William F. O'Brien and is survived by his mother Kathleen (Somers) O'Brien. He grew up in North Massapequa, N.Y., as one of six children.

He graduated from Plainedge High School in 1974, where he was the captain of the basketball team, leading them to victory in the New York State Championships. 

O'Brien attended New York State Institute of Technology, and was one of the first students to enroll in its new computer graphics master's program.

He was on the forefront of the design and implementation of launching three national news networks. He was the creative director at CNBC, concurrently, he was also the creative director for the launch of America’s Talking Channel, which became MSNBC. 

He was the senior vice president and creative director for Fox News Channel for the last 21 years. O'Brien created the groundbreaking, dynamic graphic look of FNC, which transformed the landscape of American television news. 

He is also survived by his sister Pattie O'Brien and her spouse Meryl Meisler; his brother Paul O'Brien and his wife Eva, his nephews PJ, Jonathan and his niece Emily O'Brien; his sister Jacqueline (O'Brien) Callindes and her husband Jon, his nephews, Jonathon and James Callindes; his sister-in-law Jodi O'Brien and his nephew, Billy O'Brien, Jr.; his father-in-law Ted Devine; his brothers-in-law Eamonn and Gerard Devine, his niece Morgan and nephew Sean Devine.  

He was pre-deceased by his older brother Billy, his nephew David O'Brien and his mother-in-law Kathleen Devine.

Calling hours will be Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. at Notre Dame of Easton Church. Interment will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to: the Notre Dame of Easton Sanctuary Fund (to benefit the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry) 655 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT 06612. 

For more information or to sign a guest register, visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com.

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