LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

State's Transportation Plan Gets Federal OK
28 Mar 2024 15:06

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Federal officials on Wednesday approved most of Alaska’s four-y [ ... ]

New Funding Plan Ahead for Visit Sitka?
28 Mar 2024 15:02

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    At an hour-long work session with the Assembly Tuesda [ ... ]

Sitka 'Frankenstein' Puts Classic Tale in New Ligh...
28 Mar 2024 15:01

By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Sports Editor
    The story behind a classic, though often misunderstoo [ ... ]

State May Los Millions Over Ed Dept. Missteps
28 Mar 2024 14:59

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
Alaska Beacon
    The state government risks losing millions of dollars in feder [ ... ]

Gov Signs Bill On Internet In State Schools
28 Mar 2024 14:57

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday signed a bill that promise [ ... ]

Capitol Christmas Tree to Come from Tongass
28 Mar 2024 14:56

By YERETH ROSEN
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    Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, known for its steep mountains [ ... ]

City League Games Thursday
28 Mar 2024 14:52

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing Wednesday in competitive division City League volleyball matches, Ca [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Police Blotter
28 Mar 2024 14:50

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 27
At 2:36 p.m. a dead  [ ... ]

March 28, 2024, Community Happenings
28 Mar 2024 14:48

This Week in Girls on the Run By Sitkans Against Family Violence
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New RFP Sought For Managing PAC
27 Mar 2024 14:48

By GARLAND KENNEDY
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Seiners Get Second Day with 2 Areas to Fish
27 Mar 2024 14:46

By Sentinel Staff
    The Sitka Sound commercial herring sac roe fishery continued today with open [ ... ]

Braves Take Second in Last Minute Upset
27 Mar 2024 12:41

By GARLAND KENNEDY
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    After storming into the state 3A boys basketball brac [ ... ]

Tuesday City League Volleyball
27 Mar 2024 12:39

By Sentinel Staff
    The Queen Bees’ spotless season record ended Tuesday night with a 2-1 loss [ ... ]

Kodiak Alutiiq Museum Getting New Attention
27 Mar 2024 12:37

By SHIRLEY SNEVE
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House Hearing on Inmate Deaths Halted
27 Mar 2024 12:35

By CLAIRE STREMPLE
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    A presentation about a jump in the number of inmate deaths in  [ ... ]

Nominee to Bering Sea Council: Not a Trawler
27 Mar 2024 12:34

By NATHANIEL HERZ
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    Tribal and environmental advocates calling for a crackdown o [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Police Blotter
27 Mar 2024 12:26

Police Blotter
Sitka police received the following calls by 8 a.m. today:
March 26
At 2:10 p.m. a man e [ ... ]

March 27, 2024, Community Happenings
27 Mar 2024 12:25

Big Rigs Sought
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Reassessments Raise Tax Bills for Sitkans
26 Mar 2024 15:22

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
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    The city’s reassessment of taxable real estate, alo [ ... ]

Two Areas Opened in Herring Fishery Today
26 Mar 2024 15:21

By Sentinel Staff
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Lady Wolves Rally to Take Fourth at State
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By GARLAND KENNEDY
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Edgecumbe Girls Close Out Season Up North
26 Mar 2024 14:58

By GARLAND KENNEDY
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    Competing in the state 3A basketball tournament in Anc [ ... ]

City League Monday
26 Mar 2024 14:55

By Sentinel Staff
    Playing in a competitive division City League volleyball game Monday evening [ ... ]

House Votes to Broaden Rules For Review Panel Memb...
26 Mar 2024 14:52

By JAMES BROOKS
Alaska Beacon
    A bill that passed the Alaska House of Representatives on Monday  [ ... ]

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

Jim O’Brien, Irish-Born Sitkan, Dies at Age 63

James “Jim” Anthony O’Brien

James “Jim” Anthony O’Brien, who was born in Ireland but had lived in Alaska since the 1980s, passed away Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, at the age of 63. 

Jim was born July 2, 1957, to Christopher and Vera, in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland. One of nine siblings, Jim was described as an adventurous and mischievous, albeit mellow, child. He attended Cistercian College Roscrea private boarding school in County Tipperary, and Mountbellew Agricultural College in County Galway. When he left college, he tried his hand at a number of things, finally settling on working machinery with his older brother, Christopher, whom he loved. At the age of 25, Jim set off to America, heading first to New York City to stay with his sister Joan and her husband John. His sister Fiona was also in NYC at that time, and soon after, his brother Desmond, his sister Jacqueline, his sister Deirdre and her husband Liam joined them.

After a year bartending at John’s restaurant in NYC, he moved on to San Francisco, and eventually made his way to Alaska to pursue his passion of working construction. He fell in love with the rugged wilderness of Alaska and never looked back.

In 1988 he met the love of his life, Tina, while working in Petersburg, and started a family of his own. His work in construction took the family to a number of places throughout Southeast Alaska, including Petersburg, Juneau, and Haines, but eventually they settled in Sitka, where Jim built his dream cabin on Kasiana Island for him and Tina to call home.

He treasured his life in Alaska, but never lost his love for his home of Ireland. He was proud to be an Irishman and often said one of his happiest moments was taking his wife and children to Nenagh, to share the places and memories from his childhood with them.

Jim was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, his indefatigable work ethic, his kind and compassionate spirit, and of course, his lively Irish brogue. He loved his family, his dogs, the great outdoors, and the simple pleasures of hunting and fishing. He was well known and respected within the construction industry and even had the opportunity to start a company of his own with his son, Jimmy.

Jim and Tina lived a simple, happy life and were so blessed to find a love like they shared. Jim was a loving and devoted husband, an amazing father, an inspiration and mentor to many, and a friend to all.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Vera; his father, Christopher; his brother David; his father-in-law, Ski, his brother-in-law John, and his sister-in-law Edna.

He is survived by his wife, Tina; his three children, Toni, Jimmy, and Paddy; his brothers, Christopher and Desmond; his sisters, Maria, Joan, Deirdre, Fiona, and Jacqueline; his daughter-in-law, Twila; his mother-in-law, Barb; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Brigid, Anna, Liam, Michael, Amy, Joe, Gary, Greg, Petula, Mary Ann, and Harry; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Due to COVID, the family will hold a small, private ceremony 2 p.m Friday, March 5, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. A larger celebration of his life will be held in late spring or early summer in Petersburg, where he will be laid to rest.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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