Obituary of David W. O'Beirne

On the morning of January 2nd, the world lost a great man, and my family suffered a great loss. David W. O'Beirne, my father, was taken away from my mother, myself, Sean (Fallon), Kevin, Lily, and his two grandkids, Sloane and William. He was a self made man who started and ran his tropical fish business for 41 years. Before starting his business, he served his country in Vietnam by enlisting in the Navy. He was always proud of his service, and his business he started from the ground up. But he was most proud of his family. When times got financially tough, he did not falter or shy away. Instead, he buckled down, and worked 10 times harder, making sacrifices, not for the benefit of himself, but for his children. My father devoted his life to his children, always wanting the absolute best for us, attending all athletic and academic events. This is what I learned most from my father. Devotion to your family is what being a Dad and what being man is all about in life. Nothing else matters. If you tried your best, gave it your all, then you did well on this earth because that is what people will remember. This is what he did in his life. Yes, he traveled the world, loved to golf, swim, and try out new restaurants but what he enjoyed most was spending time with his family. Everyone who has parents, or is a parent understands that deep connection. No other connection will compare. That is unconditional love. I was very lucky to feel this love from my father as a child, and even more lucky to feel this love later in life being friends with my father. This is the the circle of life. Parents raise us, then as we get older, we tend to help them more, and the relationship becomes one of absolute friendship. A friendship where there is honesty and love. What my family will most miss about father is the everyday phone calls checking up upon us, seeing how life is, and not having the ability to call my father for advice and really just simple everyday conversations such as talking to him about the new James Bond movie. The last four years were hard on him with the loss of my sister Abigail. His love and admiration for her was beyond words. Now they are reunited once again. To my father, David O'Beirne, you lived a full life, and know that you will be greatly missed. Myself, Sean, Kevin, and Lily will carry on your legacy and try to make you proud. You will always be in our minds and forever in our hearts. Love you Dad. Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation Friday 9:30AM at Holy Innocents Church at L St. & Hunting Park Ave., Phila., PA 19124. The Funeral Mass is at 11:00AM. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Abigail Ann O'Beirne Scholarship Fund, Holy Innocents School, 1312 E. Bristol St., Phila., PA 19124 or to Little Flower High School for Girls 1000 W. Lycoming St., Phila., PA 19140 Scholarship Fund in memory of Abigail Ann O'Beirne. www.rrfunerals.com