O'Brien, Jr., Joseph Eugene, "Gene," 77, of Valrico, FL, passed away June 11, 2007. He was born in Louisville, KY, on January 25, 1930. He graduated from Saint Xavier High School and the University of Louisville. Gene established Irish O'Briens' Food Service, the family business, and was the founding president of the National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA). He has lived in the Tampa area for nearly 40 years and retired in 2000. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, SanDee; seven children and their spouses, Debbie and Mitch, Tim and Justine, Todd and Beth, Dean and Carla, Gina and Marc White, Dena, and Erin; fifteen grandchildren, Sean, Kevin, Dave, DeeAnna, Jody, Cody, Jared, Kassie, Angie, Shay, Seth, Jacob, Tyler, Abby, Meghan; and three great-grandchildren, Mackenzie, Emily, and Gabriella. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Joe. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, Riverview, FL. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Valrico, FL. Interment will be at Pleasant Grove Assembly of God in Durant, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to the NICA Scholarship Fund, 6671 13th Avenue N, Suite 1B, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.