Father Walter O’Brien, O.F.M. Cap., died in Yonkers, N.Y., on Sunday, March 3, at the age of 100. For over 82 years, he served as a Capuchin friar and at the time of his death was the oldest living member of the order in the U.S.Born in Manhattan, he entered the Capuchins in 1930 and was ordained to the priesthood on June 20, 1937.
Among his parish assignments were St. Michael, East New York, 1938-42 and 1946-52; St. John the Baptist, Manhattan, 1952-57 and 1964-81; and Sacred Heart, Yonkers, 1981-82.
During WWII, he volunteered as a U.S. Army chaplain and served in the South Pacific, Japan and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
He also served on the Provincial Council as councilor and advisor in Province matters.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 8 at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers.