James L. O’Brien, age 83, a longtime resident of Quincy and formerly of South Boston, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Boston, to the late Joseph and Katherine (Hasenbine) O’Brien, Jim was raised and educated in South Boston and was a proud graduate of South Boston High School, Class of 1960. He made Quincy his home for fifty eight years and cherished many summers spent at his home in South Dennis. More recently, Jim and his wife Judith enjoyed spending their winters in Naples, Florida, where they formed many lasting friendships.

Jim was employed as an inspector with the former Boston Edison Company, retiring in 2001 after more than forty years of dedicated service. He greatly enjoyed family gatherings, vacations to Florida, and time on the golf course, particularly on Cape Cod and in Florida with family and friends. A devoted Boston sports fan, Jim especially loved following the Boston Celtics.

Above all, Jim’s greatest joy was his family. He was deeply devoted to his grandchildren and took an active role in supporting their many activities and accomplishments over the past twenty five years.

Jim was the beloved husband of Judith M. (Dooley) O’Brien, with whom he shared fifty eight years of loving marriage.

He was the devoted father of Kevin and his wife Cara of North Easton; Caitlyn and her husband Daniel of Hingham; Michael (Q.P.D.) and his wife Jennifer of Quincy; Steven and his wife Nancy of Duxbury; and Brendan and his wife Melissa of Marblehead.

He was the loving grandfather of Sean and Elizabeth O’Brien; Claire Joyce; Madison, Courtney, and Payton O’Brien; Molly and Caite O’Brien; and Camryn and Ella O’Brien.

Jim was the dear brother of Winifred O’Brien, S.N.D. of Connecticut; Maureen Roche of Weymouth and her late husband William; his twin sister Joan Craven and her husband Walter of South Boston; and Joseph O’Brien and his wife Gayle of Hyde Park.

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Wednesday, April 22, from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy, on Thursday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the HeartBrothers Foundation, 276 West Main Street, #5, Northborough, MA 01532.