William Michael O’Brien, age 88, of Newton MA, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2023, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Nancy (Payson) O’Brien, and their children, Elizabeth Ward (Jaime) of Wellesley MA, Phillips O’Brien (Mathilde von Bülow) of St. Andrew’s, Scotland, Sarah O’Brien (Samuel Fraidin) of New York City, and William J.A. O’Brien of Boston. He is also survived by a cherished sister, Anne (O’Brien) Temple, and four grandsons of whom he was deeply proud, Andrew (Elinor Mitchell), Samuel, and Benjamin Ward, and Payson O’Brien.

The son of John and Anne (Gibbons) O’Brien, Bill embraced the values his parents instilled in him—honor, hard work, and intellectual curiosity—all his life. A talented and serious student, he was graduated from Boston Latin School, College of the Holy Cross, and Harvard Law School.

In 1959, Bill embarked on his legal career, joining the firm of Beane, Fine & Counihan in Cambridge, MA, where he focused on real estate and corporate law. For the last 40 years, he specialized in commercial real estate, working closely with longtime client Vast Capital Management. Throughout his career, Bill crafted a variety of cases and made important contributions to the legal field, including a landmark case credited with changing the law of fiduciary duty. Generous with his time and expertise, Bill was always willing to help a young lawyer or a friend who asked for legal advice.

When he was not occupied in a legal court, Bill could often be found on the tennis court. He first learned to play on his honeymoon and the game remained a passionate pursuit throughout his adult life. A member of Longwood Cricket Club (where he served on the Board of Governors) for more than 55 years, Bill passed on his love for tennis to all his children and grandchildren. He was also a longtime member of Longwood Covered Courts, where he served as President.

A voracious reader and grammarian, Bill always found room for another new book on his shelves. He never stopped learning. As a member of Newton’s Eight O’Clock Club, he researched and made presentations on an array of interests, including the Maya peoples and New England stone walls.

A keen and thoughtful observer of the world around him, Bill started each day with a cup of tea and fresh copies of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Together with Nancy, he appreciated the quiet joys of sitting on the back porch and listening to the birds or watching the old magnolia tree bloom in the front yard. While Bill understood the complexities of ancient Greek and Latin, he enjoyed the straightforward pleasures of Latin School reunions, college football games, Brigham’s ice cream, spy movies, and playing bridge. His grandsons’ biggest fan, he faithfully attended their sporting events, often rushing from the office to catch the last innings of a baseball game.

Bill will be laid to rest with his parents and relatives at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Hingham, MA, with a celebration of his life to be held in the spring. Bill was predeceased by his older brother John and his brother-in-law Raymond Temple.

Bill leaves behind many extended family members, including Adele Pike, whose kindness during a previous illness meant a great deal to him.

Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center, who cared for him with skill and compassion in the final weeks of his life. 

Farewell, dear dad, we love you very much.