Brother Richard O’Brien, C.S.C., a member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, for over 60 years, died March 13. He was 86.

Born in Auburn, N.Y., he held a several jobs in the Syracuse area, including working as a soda fountain attendant, an office boy and as a salesman, before entering religious life.

Reading about the lives of St. Brother André Bessette, C.S.C., and St. Francis of Assisi stirred his interest in religious life. He joined the Holy Cross Congregation and made his final profession of vows on Aug. 16, 1953.

He studied at the University of Notre Dame, Ind.; St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas, and Fordham University.

He taught at two Holy Cross elementary schools, St. Francis of Assisi, Crown Heights, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the Bronx, and then shifted to secondary education including teaching at Holy Cross H.S., Flushing.

In 1986, he became the pastoral associate at St. Anthony-St. Alphonsus in Greenpoint, where he served until 2005. He was involved in parish activities and services, visiting the sick and providing a comforting presence to families at times of loss.

He retired to the Holy Cross faculty residence in Flushing.

In 2009, poor health necessitated a move to St. Joseph Center, Valatie, and eventually to Barnwell Nursing Center, also Valatie.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 17 at St. Joseph Center. Burial followed the community cemetery at St. Joseph Center.