Gene O’Brien
A week ago, last Friday (Jun 17th) my friend and Planning Board chair Gene O’Brien passed away.
I first met Gene around 1999 when my daughter was participating in the Math Counts competition and Gene was responsible for conducting it. Over the next several years we became friends over our shared love of math and education. My first observation was how diligent and fair he was in conducting the competition. Later I learned that he was as diligent and fair in every endeavor he was involved in whether it was First Robotics or being chairman of the Planning Board.
Gene’s love for West Windsor was second to none. Over his 45 years of Public Service to West Windsor, he saw West Windsor change from a rural community to what it is today. He participated in the process in various capacities always trying to do what was best for West Windsor. At times it meant doing things that may not have been his personal preference. During my election campaign in 2017 we had talked about what West Windsor faced over the coming years and how best to prepare for the future. He agreed to serve as Chairman of the Planning board getting the township ready for the future. Having served as mayor and a council member he was well aware of the constraints local governments faced. His expertise and guidance were invaluable to me as I had to make many tough choices. He always gave his unbiased advice with both pros and cons and kept the discussion focused on topic at hand (“no war stories” was his favorite phrase when discussion veered off topic). His dedication was such that even when his health deteriorated, he was committed to finishing the active applications he had started before retiring.
A couple of days ago, the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE-NJ) honored Gene posthumously with their first Lifetime Achievement award. Starting next year, the award will be known as the “Gene O’Brien Lifetime Achievement Award”; a well-deserved recognition to his many contributions to the PE society.
Over the years of my association with him, he was an invaluable resource to me, the Planning Board and the township. He leaves behind many friends and admirers. I will miss him and so will West Windsor.
The viewing will be held at St David the King Church in West Windsor at 10 a.m. on Monday June 27th following by a Mass at 11 a.m.
Hemant Marathe
Mayor