Jack O'Brien

John 'Jack' O'Brien, 76, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at Hospice House, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 26, 2019, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, by Reverend Christopher Podhajsky. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Dottie; children, Brendan (Christy) of Melbourne, Australia and Kimberly (Pete) Knapp of Elk River, Minnesota; grandchildren Liam O'Brien and Elizabeth and Catherine Knapp; brothers, Jim (Diane) of Lenoir City, Tennessee, and Kevin of Harpswell Maine; and several extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. John W. O'Brien Jr. was born January 28, 1943, in Boston, Massachusetts, to John W. Sr. and Evelyn (Horne) O'Brien. He grew up in the suburbs and graduated from Needham High School in 1961. Jack attended Northeastern University, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration. He married Dottie Thompson of Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 30, 1968, in Milton, Massachusetts. Jack served his country in the National Guard's Yankee Division as a medic. Jack worked as a salesman and then assistant product manager for United Fruit Company (Chiquita). He and his family were transferred to Modesto, California, in 1971. Then, in 1975, he took a position to work for Cherry-Burrell (now Evergreen Packaging) until retiring in 2001. Jack rose to the position of Director of Marketing Communications with responsibilities for all advertising and public relations. He was influential in the company's expansion into export markets, helping grow foreign sales with frequent travel overseas designing exhibitions and implementing marketing programs in over 20 countries including the old Soviet Union and China. One of his US exhibits won the prestigious 'Best of Show' award in the largest booth category of the International Exhibitors Association. After retirement, Jack then formed ExecuTec Business Communications specializing in publishing weekly Marketing Intelligence Reports and as the US Correspondent for foreign food industry trade magazines. Jack served on the Board of Directors and as committee chairman for several food and packaging associations in Washington D.C. as well as the Cedar Rapids Fellowship Club. He was an avid sports fan, rooting for the Hawkeyes, Patriots, and Red Sox, and against the Yankees. Jack's love for his wife, children, and grandchildren knew no bounds. Many thanks to Jack's children and grandchildren, Dottie, Bill, Bob, Pat, Dave, and many others for helping him overcome life's challenges. In his final days, he relied heavily on the Serenity Prayer, and now that he no longer needs it, he leaves it to you for solace and courage. Sincere thanks go to Dr. Ann Stroh and the compassionate nurses and staffs at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center and Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Cedar Rapids Fellowship Club.