Lifelong Shrewsbury Resident Dies at 26

Jeffrey Andrew O'Brien, died Sunday, March 18 in Mass General Hospital in Boston. He was 26.

Born in Worcester on July 26, 1985, he was the son of R. Scott and Marilyn J. (Skow) O'Brien. He was a lifelong Shrewsbury resident and he attended his freshman year and later transferred to , graduating with the class of 2003. Similarly, he began college at Valparaiso University in Indiana and later graduated from Stonehill College in 2007 with a degree in marketing.

Jeff worked as a lab assistant at Assumption College. Diagnosed with a congenital heart defect at age 19, he was awaiting a very rare double transplant of both heart and liver. Even the weakest heart is strong when it's filled with love. Jeff knew the love of family and friends.

His interests varied. His love for all things Disney qualified him as an "expert." His Disney favorites were Captain Hook and The Mad Hatter. A love for music blossomed into a talent for playing drums in the school band while at SHS and after. He loved to travel.

Jeff studied abroad in Ireland and it afforded him the opportunity to see many countries throughout Europe. As his illness progressed he found happiness in a simple, car ride excursion through his much loved or rides to Cape Cod.

Jeff wasn't blessed with children of his own but absolutely adored his niece and nephew, Anders and Audra. An avid hockey fan Jeff was loyal to his Boston Bruins. He faithfully followed the Cape Cod Baseball league annually. He loved people. Intrigued about others, he was wonderfully curious about their history.

His family states it beautifully and appropriately, "Jeffrey is a very happy soul." Jeff is rejoined with his grandparents, the late Robert O. Skow and Robert J. and Evelyn A. (Sundberg) O'Brien.

In addition to his parents, Scott and Marilyn, he leaves his sister, Jill C. Eshelman and her husband, Eliot and their children, Anders and Audra, all of Quincy; his grandmother, Shirley C. (Crane) Skow of Shrewsbury; aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jeff's life by gathering for calling hours in , 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and again on Thursday in The Salem Covenant Church, 215 Mountain St. East, Worcester, where his funeral service will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Rev. Mark Frykholm will officiate. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Honor Jeff's love for children and memories of his childhood with a contribution to Camp Squanto, 156 West Shore Road, Swanzey, NH 03446. To view Jeff's online tribute, share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.healdchiampa.com