CLEVELAND, November 2 — William T. “Bill” O’Brien, former Chairman of the BLET’s Ohio State Legislative Board, passed away from complications of liver cancer yesterday.
Brother O’Brien served as Chairman of the Ohio State Legislative Board from 1987-2002. He passed away in the care of his children in Sarasota, Fla.
“All five of his children were able to be at his side and say good-bye,” said his daughter Peggy O’Brien.
Services for Brother O’Brien are at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, Fla. (phone: 941-366-4210). A reception on the premises will follow.
“Brother O’Brien influenced many high ranking political leaders during his years of service to the Brotherhood and successfully lobbied on behalf of numerous pieces of legislation that improved the working conditions for locomotive engineers,” said Don M. Hahs, National President of the BLET. “On behalf of the BLET, I extend my deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Bill O’Brien.”